✅Origin of the Idiom（成語起源）
The phrase “extend an olive branch” is widely recognized as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Its roots are both Biblical and classical:
（中譯：「遞出橄欖枝」象徵和平與和解，其起源可追溯至聖經與古典文化：）Biblical Origin: The idiom "offer an olive branch" originates from the biblical story of Noah's Ark. In Genesis 8:11, after the great flood, Noah sends out a dove that returns with an olive leaf, signaling that the waters have receded and God's wrath has subsided. This established the olive branch as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
（中譯：聖經典故：成語「遞出橄欖枝」源自聖經中諾亞方舟的故事。在《創世記》第8章第11節中中，大洪水過後，諾亞放出一隻鴿子，鴿子銜著橄欖葉回來，象徵洪水已經退去，上帝的憤怒也已平息。這個故事確立橄欖枝作為和平與和解象徵的地位。）
Ancient Greek and Roman Cultures: The olive branch was also a symbol of peace and victory. In Greek mythology, it was sacred to Athena, and Romans used it in diplomatic gestures and art to signify the end of conflict.
（中譯：古希臘與羅馬文化：橄欖枝亦是和平與勝利的象徵。在希臘神話中，橄欖樹是雅典娜的聖物；在羅馬，橄欖枝常用於外交場合與藝術作品中，象徵衝突的終結。）
Indeed, the idiom is derived from the Bible, but its symbolic use predates and extends beyond it.
（中譯：這個成語確實源自聖經，但其象徵意涵早在聖經之前就已存在，並在不同文化中延續發展。）
The phrase has since evolved to mean making a peaceful gesture or attempting to reconcile after conflict.
（中譯：這個片語後來演變為表示做出和平姿態或在衝突後嘗試和解的意思。）
圖片創作：Microsoft Copilot AI
✅Examples in different contexts（不同情境下的例句）:
🛑Personal relationships（人際關係）:
After their heated argument, Sarah decided to offer an olive branch by cooking her roommate's favorite dinner.
（中譯：在激烈爭吵後，莎拉決定遞出橄欖枝，為室友煮她最愛吃的晚餐。）
🛑Workplace（職場）:
The CEO extended an olive branch to the striking workers by agreeing to negotiate on their key demands.
（中譯：執行長向罷工工人遞出橄欖枝，同意就他們的核心訴求進行談判。）
🛑International diplomacy（國際外交）:
The ambassador's visit was seen as offering an olive branch between the two nations after years of tension.
（中譯：大使的訪問被視為兩國在多年緊張關係後遞出的橄欖枝。）
🛑Politics（政治）:
The opposition leader extended an olive branch by publicly supporting the government's disaster relief efforts.
（中譯：反對黨領袖公開支持政府的災難救援工作，藉此遞出橄欖枝。）
🛑Cultural Reconciliation（文化修復）:
The museum’s new exhibit was seen as an olive branch to communities previously excluded.
（中譯：博物館的新展覽被視為向過去被排除的社群遞出橄欖枝的象徵。）
圖片創作：Microsoft Copilot AI
