Zakynthos Trees and Fruits
The Oak Tree (Velanidia)
In very old religions, we notice that ancient oaks were honored as holy trees. The oak is struck by lightning much more often than any other tree. The ancient Greeks believed this was Zeus speaking to them. They imagined Zeus sitting on the clouds, throwing thunder and lightning down to earth. All over the world, oak trees were planted close to houses because their long, thick roots worked well as natural lightning conductors. The belief in the oak tree was so strong that, over time, Christianity blended with these ancient customs. For this reason, many small churches and shrines were built next to oak trees. For centuries, oak wood has been used to build boats and houses. Starch was also produced from oak, and its leaves were used to treat wounds and skin conditions.
The Olive Tree (Elia)
In Greek mythology, the beloved olive tree was a gift from Athena, the goddess of wisdom (who was, according to myth, born from the head of her father, Zeus). When the region of Attica was founded, the gods competed to become its patron. Zeus invited Athena and Poseidon (the god of the sea) to present the most useful gift to the area. The villagers gathered in an open field. In the distance, they saw the tall, lean figure of Poseidon, walking with his famous trident, his long beard dancing in the wind. Athena soon joined them, and the competition began. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, creating a lake from which a horse emerged, rearing up on its hind legs. It was a powerful gift, symbolizing strength and war. Then it was Athena’s turn. She stamped her foot on the ground, and an olive tree began to sprout. The villagers laughed at the strange-looking tree, but Athena explained its value. The tree symbolized peace, hope, and victory. Its wood could be used for tools and construction, and its fruit could provide food or be pressed into oil—for cooking, lighting lamps, or anointing the bodies of athletes. Athena won the contest, and the city of Athens was named in her honor.
In the Old Testament, the olive tree is a symbol of hope. It was an olive twig that the dove brought back to Noah’s Ark as a sign that the great flood had ended. In Greek mythology, there is also a story of a great flood. The main characters were Deucalion (son of Prometheus), his wife Pyrrha, and their daughter Epimetheus. Zeus saw them, the only survivors, floating in their ark and decided to give them a second chance. As the waters receded, Zeus told them “Throw the bones of your mother behind you.” They understood that “mother” referred to Mother Earth, so they began to throw stones behind them. Miraculously, from the stones Deucalion threw, men appeared, and from the stones Pyrrha threw, women appeared (This is also why, it is said, some people still have a "stone-like" or cold character). Their son, Hellen, became the ancestor of the Greek people. The original name for the Greeks is Hellenes, and Greece is called Hellas. This story took place in Delphi, the famous sacred site known as the “navel of the earth.” The goddess of peace, Eirene, is always depicted holding an olive twig as a symbol of peace.
Winners of the Olympic Games were honored with a crown made of olive leaves. This crown was their highest prize. The Greeks believed that the goddess of victory, Nike, was sent by Zeus to assist the chosen athletes in their triumphs.
Archaeological excavations in Crete reveal that as early as Minoan times (around 3000 BC), olive trees and olive oil were of great importance to the Greeks. Medically, olive oil is believed to help with cholesterol, triglycerides, stomach problems, certain cancers, osteoporosis, rheumatism, and diabetes.
Zakynthos is very well known for its first-class olive oil. We also have lado (olive oil) and tiri (feta cheese), which are typical of the island. The cheese is placed into small handwoven reed baskets and then submerged in large ceramic jars, called pytharies, filled to the top with olive oil. The cheese absorbs the oil, and this is how “olive oil cheese” is made. Pytharies are large ceramic jugs for which Zakynthos was once famous, along with roof and floor tiles and bricks. Before the devastating earthquake in 1953, there were about 35 ceramic workshops on the island. The word “ceramic” and the title “ceramist” come from Ceramous, the deity who ensured hot, dry weather—perfect for drying clay objects. To honor his role, the art of clay-making was named after him.
The Cypress Tree (Kyparisi)
In Greek mythology, Cyparissus was a famous hunter, much loved by Apollo, who once gave him a beautiful deer for his birthday. Cyparissus and the deer were inseparable, but one day, fate struck. The little deer wandered away from Cyparissus and hid in a bush. When Cyparissus saw the rustling, he assumed something was hidden there and accidentally shot his beloved deer. Devastated by sorrow and shame, he could not face Apollo and asked to let his tears fall forever. Apollo transformed him into a cypress tree, whose sap forms droplets like tears on the trunk. This is why the cypress tree is associated with death and mourning. You will often see cypress trees in and around cemeteries in Greece. In ancient times, it was believed that the human soul would ascend through the “male” cypress, connecting us with the divine - this tree was also called the "finger of God." The female cypress has a much broader shape, and both are needed for reproduction. The small nut-like balls on the trees fall to the ground, crack open, and when the male and female spores meet, they create a new tree—either male or female.
The famous Retsina wine takes its name and peculiar taste from the resin (risini) of the cypress, which is added during the wine’s maturation.
The Bay Leaf – Laurel Tree (Daphni)
According to Greek mythology, Eros, the son of Aphrodite, goddess of love, was a bit of a mischievous boy. One day he boasted to Apollo, “Look, Apollo, if you think about it, you must admit that I am far more powerful with my bow and arrow than you’ll ever be! Because love rules over everything.” Apollo burst out in Homeric laughter and replied, “Haha! You’re just a child of the gods and I am one of the gods!” “Hmm,” thought Eros, “just wait and see…” Daphne was a beautiful nymph who loved to stroll along the riverbanks. One day, Apollo joined her, and Eros, watching from afar, quickly shot a golden-tipped arrow into Apollo’s heart and a bronze one into Daphne’s. This caused Apollo to fall madly in love with Daphne, while she wanted nothing to do with him. After months of rejection, Apollo, frustrated and desperate, tried to pursue her. Daphne, terrified, screamed and ran. Just as Apollo was about to catch her, Mother Earth took pity and transformed her into a beautiful bay laurel tree. Apollo never forgot his beloved Daphne and wore a wreath of bay leaves on his golden hair in her memory.
The Oracle of Delphi in northern Greece is dedicated to Apollo. The priestess could foresee the future after drinking from the holy spring and chewing on bay leaves.
The Pine Tree (Pefko)
The myth of the pine tree begins with Pythia, a beautiful nymph—unique in Greek mythology for falling madly in love with the god Pan. She didn’t love him for his appearance (with goat feet and horns, he wasn’t exactly a beauty), nor for his charm - Pan was known for his loud, fearsome voice, which is where the word panic comes from, derived from the Greek Pan-ighos (Pan for the god, ighos meaning voice). What she did love was his musical talent. Yes, Pan was the creator of the Pan flute. One day, the two lovers sat on the cliffs, with Pan playing the most romantic melodies to impress Pythia. But Boreas, the jealous North Wind, saw them. In a rage, he took a deep breath, puffed out his cheeks, and blew fiercely toward the couple. He nearly swept Pythia away, but Mother Gaia (Earth) took pity and transformed her into a pine tree. They say that when the North Wind blows, you can still hear Pan’s sorrowful music through the rustling pine needles, and that the resin flowing from the tree symbolizes his tears.
Greece is painted green by these magnificent trees, many of which cling to the cliffsides. In ancient times, pine wood was used to build ships. On Zakynthos, you can also find a rich variety of pistachio, walnut, almond, and chestnut trees.
Carob / St. John's Bread Tree
The name "St. John's Bread Tree" comes from John the Baptist. While living in the wilderness to be closer to God, he survived on the pods of this peculiar tree. In Arabic, it is called the Carob tree, which is linked to the word karat. The seeds inside the pods have a consistent weight of 0.197 grams, and in ancient times they were used to weigh gold. During World War II, these trees became essential for the people of Zakynthos. To survive, they ground the seeds into flour and made bread. Today, carob is also a valued ingredient in high-quality ice creams.
A Few Facts About Fruit Trees
Pomegranate (Rodi)
On New Year’s Day, the first visitor to enter a Greek house will throw a pomegranate on the ground. The number of seeds that spill out is believed to indicate how much prosperity the household will have that year. Interestingly, the French word grenade (meaning hand grenade) also comes from this fruit.
Lotus
If you ever eat the fruit of the lotus tree, there is a chance you will forget everything you ever knew and never return home. This is what happened to some of Odysseus’s soldiers in Greek mythology.
Figs
The Greek word for figs is siko, and the Greek word for liver is sikoti. The fact that figs are very healthy (especially for the liver) is no coincidence! Another name for the fig tree is the "Judas tree," as legend says that Judas hanged himself on one. So, if you ever decide to sleep under a fig tree, be aware - you might fall into a very deep sleep.
The Citrus Trees
Oranges, lemons, and mandarins are not native to Greece. While on his explorations, Alexander the Great discovered them in the East and sent them back to Greece. The name Hesperide came to be associated first with oranges and later with the entire citrus family.
When Zeus and Hera married, they received a beautiful gift from Gaea (Mother Earth), a blissful garden in the western part of the world. Some say it was located near the Atlas Mountains in Libya, others believe it was on a distant blessed island at the edge of the encircling river Oceanus (possibly Madeira). The garden was tended by three sisters, the Hesperides, daughters of either Hesperus, god of the evening star, or the Titan Atlas, who was condemned to hold the sky on his shoulders for trying to overthrow Zeus. The Hesperides took care of the "Tree of Life." The golden apples from this tree granted eternal youth. One of Hercules’ tasks was to steal one of these apples. Later, people connected these golden apples with golden-colored oranges. The Hesperides became a boundless source of inspiration for poets and artists.
Grapes (Stafilia)
One of Greece’s most famous fruits is the grape. There are over 300 native grape varieties in Greece, with around 25 found in Zakynthos alone. Thanks to fertile soil, a favorable climate, and natural vinification methods (Greek law limits chemical use), local wines have a unique character. They often contain 12–14% alcohol - so yes, be warned!
Dionysus, the god of wine, once walked through a vineyard and noticed a tiny vine bending to the left. At that moment, a bird flew by. Dionysus shot it and used its bones to support the vine. Years later, he returned to find the vine still leaning. Then a bear passed. Dionysus shot the bear and used its bones to support the vine again. Still, the vine bent left. Eventually, a donkey came by. Dionysus shot the donkey, used its bones to support the vine once more - and finally learned a lesson. So, what's the moral of the story? After one glass of Greek wine, you think you can fly. After two glasses, you feel as strong as a bear. After three glasses, you're as foolish as a donkey... JAMAS – CHEERS!
The leftover pulp from grape pressing is used to make tsipouro. It’s distilled twice and very slowly, producing a strong spirit with around 40% alcohol... so beware! A small portion of the grape juice is also boiled for hours to create a thick syrup called petsi-metsi, which is used in traditional desserts like melagrino brownies, moustokolouro cookies, and moustalevria (a dessert made without eggs or flour).
