Pine (Pinus pinea) has been a sacred tree in the Apennine Peninsula since the Punic Wars (well before the advent of our era). A frequent element of the landscape, it was a symbol of eternity.
It symbolized immortality, and its beautiful twigs were most often used in December, during subsequent holidays, called Saturnalia, when houses were decorated with them. Moreover, the pines were decorated with special oscilla and sigillaria decorations – small clay dolls.
From the third century BCE, on March 22, the followers of the goddess Cybele cut down the pine and carried it to the temple of Attis, which when he died was to be turned into a pine (thanks to Zeus/Jupiter). Pine was also a sacred/eternal tree in Mithras and other religions and countries. Cones, which were a symbol of fertility, eternity and kindness, were surrounded by a special symbolism. This symbol was often used as a way to approach the gods and ask for their goodness.
