The Place of Figs in History
Since the fig season has come, we wanted to talk about figs while we are only a box away when we feel like it. It is said that figs are sacred and we have looked up to the reasons and the story of this.
The source written by Herodotus in 484 BC reports that fig culture in Anatolia is as old as human culture, among the fruits of culture, the fruit with the oldest development date is fig fruit.
Fig is considered as a symbol of productivity in the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations.
In the ancient Greeks, fig leaves were accepted as an honorable gift, the Olympic winners were given fig fruit to eat and their heads were crowned with fig leaves, the fig tree meant extreme fertility, and the fig culture was determined as a guide to a cleaner morality.
According to Herodotus; dried figs are considered one of the ten basic blessings of life in Lydia. Such that it was used as a tool for the King to give up the war with the Persians, by saying that the Persians did not have figs to eat.
In Greek mythology, it is mentioned that the fig fruit is regarded as the beginning of a nobler and more civilized life. According to a story, the goddess Demeter gave a fig tree that she created right there to Phytalos, who welcomed her with hospitality. It is the day that adorns lineage of Phytalos's never-ending honor.
Not only Greek mythology but also Roman mythology offers examples about the fig tree. It is said that the legendary founders of the novel, Remus and Romulus, were suckled by the she-wolf under the fig tree with its fruits hanging down to the ground.
The fig tree has been used as a symbol in all major cultures and religions. The old Testament, which frequently mentions figs, is full of images and parables inspired by figs. Sitting in the shade of a fig tree or tasting its fruits is synonymous with enjoying a peaceful existence.
It is known that Sidarta Gautama (Buddha) got the inspiration that formed the basis of Buddhism while sitting under the fig tree.
Figs, which are the traditional food of Jewish Passover celebrations, are also mentioned in the Bible as a tree in the gardens of paradise and are defined as an indispensable food of Christmas celebrations due to being a sacred fruit.
It is stated in the Quran that if the Prophet Muhammad had the right to choose, the tree he would take to heaven would be a fig tree and the fruits of this ancient tree are also miraculous in terms of their benefits to human health. With the word ’Flourish where figs, dates and olives flourish‘, the message ’be in this land too, there are great advantages in this land' is given, emphasizing the advantage of figs growing in our country and the need to benefit from health.
It is said that there are more than 750 species of figs on Earth and many cultures and beliefs have forbidden cutting down the fig tree. There has never been another plant that has so influenced the human imagination. It has made itself mentioned in every religion, has influenced the kings, queens, scientists, soldiers. The fig tree has also played a role in the evolution of human and the birth of civilization. These trees have both witnessed history and shaped it. Such that there are even those who believe that the human hand has evolved in a way to find and collect the ripe figs.
