God chose olive oil to be the symbol of His anointing because it typified the work of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates and empowers; bringing light, warmth, healing, cleansing, purity, and holiness.
In Jewish tradition, olive oil symbolizes the divine presence. In the biblical text, olive oil is the main element of anointing. It is used in the royal sacraments and in the sacrament of baptism. The olive tree and its olive oil will have an essential place in the Church of the 4th century.
The early Christians used blessed olive oil for three different purposes. Oil was blessed by a bishop to be used for the expulsion of evil, for the healing of the sick, and for the bestowal of the Holy Spirit.
The primary purpose of anointing with the holy anointing oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as qodesh, or "holy" (Exodus 30:29). Originally, the oil was used exclusively for the priests and the Tabernacle articles, but its use was later extended to include kings (1 Samuel 10:1).
The olive tree from ancient times was a symbol of peace and reconciliation. The flourishes of olive tree in the eastern countries around the Mediterranean and especially in the holy places defined it as a symbol in the Christian religion.
It is a symbol of friendship and reconciliation, cleansing and healing, light, victory and richness and, above all, a sign of peace. It is a plant which should be treated with reverence as it holds many spiritual gifts.
Olive oil is still used in several of the Christian traditions. In the liturgical churches, oil is often used at baptism, anointing the candidate after the pouring of the water. Several churches also use holy oil to anoint the sick and infirm, calling to mind the passage in James cited above.
The symbols of the Holy Spirit are: Dove, Fire, Oil, Wind and Water. The Dove: This can be seen in the description of the baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:30-34).
The olive branch is often used as a symbol of peace, and the olive tree is used in scripture as a symbol of the house of Israel (see Jacob 5). Olive oil can also symbolize the Savior's Atonement, since the bitter olive, when crushed, provides oil that is sweet. Bible Dictionary, “Anoint.”
All four gospels tell the story of Jesus's feet being anointed with oil, with John's gospel saying this oil was “nard”, known as “spikenard”. In three accounts this happened two days before Passover, the days preceding the crucifixion, as though the anointing was to prepare him for death and burial.
So the Jews became olive oil merchants. It was used to light lamps, for cooking, for soaps, for its healing powers, as a cosmetic and as currency. Athletes were cleansed by covering their skin with oil then scraping it to remove the dirt. Oil was also used to anoint priests and kings.
During a special rite, the archbishop will bless three different oils to be used in sacraments. He'll bless holy chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick. The first is used in the sacraments of confirmation and holy orders. The second is used in baptism.
Such oils have been part of human culture for millennia. Oils such as poppy seed, rapeseed, linseed, almond oil, sesame seed, safflower, and cottonseed were variously used since at least the Bronze Age in the Middle East. Oils extracted from plants have been used since ancient times and in many cultures.
Over the years, the olive has also been used to symbolize wisdom, fertility, power, and purity. Olive oil was used for not only food and cooking, but also lighting, sacrificial offerings, ointment, and ceremonial anointment for priestly or royal office.
Olive oil also has religious symbolism for healing and strength and to consecration—God's setting a person or place apart for special work. This may be related to its ancient use as a medicinal agent and for cleansing athletes by slathering them in oil then scraping them.
Olives (Olea europaea)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “Eat olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (Mubarak) tree”.
Normal olive oil can become anointing oil once it has been consecrated, or prayed over and set apart. As a king and priest in Christ (Revelation 1:6), a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), you can pray over the oil and set it apart to be holy.
In the story, the miracle occurred after the liberation of the Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt, and it describes the finding of a jug of pure oil that was to be enough to light the lamp for one day, but that lasted for eight days.
Oil represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit
As with all other spiritual tools, the real power comes from God. Simply put, anointing oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit coming upon us to heal, empower and bless.
The Church makes use of three holy oils: the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the holy chrism oil. The first two are blessed, and the bishop consecrates the third, ordinarily during the annual Chrism Mass. Each has a distinctive purpose in the Church.
Olive oil was used for a broad variety of purposes in antiquity: fuel for cooking, lighting and heating; personal hygiene; craft; and within the daily diet. Large proportions of Greek, Roman and presumably Phoenician agricultural texts are devoted to the production of oil.
The Egyptians used olive oil extensively including it in their diet, lighting, medicine and for rituals. The Cretans produced olive oil in the 3rd millennium BC and was a source of great wealth coming from trade. Vast underground storerooms have been excavated and jars and vessels for olive oil have been discovered.
Ancient peoples used olive oil not just for consumption and cooking, but also as perfume, anointment for the dead, soap, and lights. In ancient Greece, athletes ritually rubbed it all over their bodies. It has been the fountain of great wealth and power, anointing the noblest of heads throughout history.
Associated with the goddess Athena as well as Zeus and the patron of human culture, Aristaeus, the Olive was a sacred symbol of divine blessing and wisdom. Still prized today for the oil pressed from its fruit, the olive is a staple of modern Greek cuisine.
Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Olive
The root of this can be found in the Bible (Genesis 8:11) when a dove came to Noah after the great floods subsided with a freshly plucked olive leaf. The olive leaf thus became a symbol of impending peace.