Palm fronds figure prominently in Holy Land history

Published: 2007-04-02

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Each year thousands of pilgrims, locals, tourists and clergy gather for the traditional Palm Sunday procession, retracing Jesus' steps from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem. They waved palm fronds, commemorating the palm fronds Jesus' followers placed along his path. In Jesus' times, the palm frond was a symbol of victory, and placement along the pathway of someone considered worthy of this honor suggested a celebration and triumph. In the Old Testament, Joshua was also given this honor, and palm fronds play an important role in some Jewish holiday rituals. Date palms figure prominently in the famous Madaba mosaic map, which depicts holy sites in the Holy Land and is now located in Jordan; its image was engraved on ancient Jewish coins. The date palm was considered a staple in the Judean desert, providing food, shelter and shade. It was recognized as a symbol of the kingdom of Judea and, because of it, the city of Jericho was a major population center. Many believe that the honey mentioned in the Bible is date honey.

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