Why Olive Branch Wreaths Are So Loved: A Fun + Surprising History of This Timeless Classic

November 30, 2025

The olive branch is one of the oldest symbols in human history, showing up everywhere from ancient myths to modern emblems. Long before Pinterest and DIY tutorials, people were using olive branches to represent:

Peace
Victory
Wisdom
Prosperity
New beginnings
Protection

Even the United Nations logo has olive branches! So if you hang an olive wreath on your door, you’re basically telling the world, “Welcome. Peace lives here.”

🏛️ Greece: Where Olive Wreaths First Became a Big Deal

Fasten your sandals — we’re going way back.

Olive wreaths became a thing in ancient Greece more than 3,000 years ago. The olive tree was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom (and she knew a good aesthetic when she saw one).

✨ The First “Champion’s Crown”

If you think Olympic gold medals are impressive, imagine being crowned with a fresh olive branch wreath, straight from a sacred grove. That’s what happened in the earliest Olympic Games.

These wreaths were called kotinos, and they represented:

Honor
Excellence
Achievement
Approval from the gods

So yes — the original Olympians were basically wearing nature’s tiara.

🇮🇹 The Romans Take It Up a Notch

The Romans loved a dramatic look, and wreaths became major status symbols. Olive and laurel wreaths were worn by:

Military heroes
Scholars
Poets
Leaders
Anyone the emperor was trying to impress

Fun fact: this is where the term “laureate” comes from — inspired by laurel and olive wreaths.

Basically, if you were someone important in ancient Rome, you were wearing some kind of leafy crown while everyone applauded.

⛪️ The Olive Branch in Early Christianity

A little later in history, the olive branch becomes a powerful symbol of hope and peace in Christianity. Think of Noah’s dove returning with an olive branch — that tiny sprig told everyone it was safe to start over again.

This idea quickly spread: people began using olive branches in celebrations, door décor, and ceremonies. And once people started putting things on their doors… well, wreath-making was here to stay.

🏡 The Olive Wreath: From Ancient Symbol to Modern Home Decor Favorite

Fast-forward to today, and the olive wreath has made a huge comeback in home décor — and with good reason:

It’s neutral yet sophisticated
Works in all seasons
Fits beautifully with farmhouse, cottage, Mediterranean, and modern styles
Symbolizes peace, welcome, and warmth

It’s simple. It’s elegant. It’s timeless.
And honestly? It just feels good to come home to.

🌿 Why People Still Love Olive Wreaths Today

Here’s what makes olive wreaths endlessly popular:

✨ They’re meaningful — you’re not just hanging greenery, you’re hanging history.
✨ They’re calming — those soft gray-green leaves instantly soothe your space.
✨ They’re versatile — wedding décor, kitchen décor, front doors, year-round décor… they do it all.
✨ They’re classic — olive wreaths never look dated, trendy, or “too much.”

Olive branches age like fine wine… or olive oil, which feels even more appropriate.

💚 Want Your Own Olive Wreath?

If this little journey made you love olive wreaths even more (and how could it not?!), you can bring the tradition home:

✨ Shop Olive Wreaths & DIY Kits at TheWreathRoom.com

Whether you’d like:

a gorgeous handcrafted wreath made by Carolyn,
a DIY kit with the same high-quality stems, or
inspiration for your next project…

We’ve got you covered.

Add a little peace, a little history, and a whole lot of beauty to your front door.

✨ Shop Our Olive Wreath Collection

Bring the timeless beauty and peaceful symbolism of the olive branch into your home. Explore our handcrafted pieces and DIY options:

Whether you love a classic Mediterranean look, soft farmhouse vibes, or simple year-round greenery, our olive-inspired designs add warmth, welcome, and elegance to any front door.

Back to blog