A partnership symbol of different, free people, united by a common goal.
In our journey to renew the image of the Agricultural Cooperative of Zakros, as well as our brand identity, we sought the symbol that could fully express a complete cosmos around the olive tree and olive oil. The values of cooperation and dialogue, aiming at continuous development and harmonious coexistence in our land. What could sum up the joy of a community that strives and honors its history and the gifts of nature?
The pitcher, a vase characteristic of the delicate Minoan art, and the olive branches, the focus of our productive work, have accompanied us for many years in the acquaintance of the public with the olive oil of Zakros. With it, we have gained constant partners and friends, who faithfully prefer and love our extra virgin olive oil for its quality and taste. Today, we have decided to go one step further in revealing elements of the character and uniqueness of Zakros.
For our new logo, we drew our inspiration from the prehistoric “Rhyton with a representation of a Peak Sanctuary”, a ritual vessel of the late Bronze Age (1.550-1.500 BC) found in the Palace of Zakros. This ancient elongated chlorite rhyton, which was covered with gold leaves, depicts one of the most complete and impressive representations of Minoan Art. According to the excavator of Zakros, Nikolaos Platonas, the 0.31 m high embossed rhyton depicts a Minoan “Peak Sanctuary”.
The Sanctuary is built on the peak of a mountain, on the rocks of which chamois gallop and birds land. It consists of three parts with a luxurious entrance, and might even be two-storey. The side aisles are decorated with poles and banners, while there are Sacred Horns on the roof. In front of the Sanctuary, there are three different altars. The main gate of the building is decorated with spirals and chamois sit opposite each other at its top. The chamois seem to frame the sanctuary in a protective way or are domesticated by its power.
Photo credit: ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0 <via Wikimedia Commons
According to archaeologist S. Marinatos, the chamois has been the most characteristic animal of Crete since ancient times. It is known by the names Kri-kri, chamois, beast and Capra aegagrus cretensis. It is an animal that only exists on our island and preferably lives in the mountains and steep areas.
The Minoans, just as all Cretans, have always, even to this day, been enchanted by the proud disposition of the chamois; of these rebellious, playful and fearless creatures, that reach the edge of the most inaccessible cliff, even when young. “There, a few centimeters from the void, they stand and enjoy the privilege of the unspoiled, wild beauty of the Cretan landscape. The Minoans admired these qualities of the animal that would outrun them, and would often represent the chamois and its symbolism in their art, according to the findings”. (Dr. Minas Tsikritsis, researcher of Aegean Scriptures)
The imposing adult chamois, depicted in motion, symbolize the potential of the brand, connect with one another and protectively - yet nobly – surround the precious rhyton with the gift of nature, olive oil. They do not look the same, just as humans, who possess special capacities, sometimes even counterbalancing ones. But, whenever a common goal unites them, they stand face to face, cooperate, become one beating heart and achieve what seems to be impossible for one man alone. They create a value that goes beyond them. A separate, complete world, an Olive Oil Politeia.
In their midst, the exquisite vase preserves the precious olive oil, the Homeric “liquid gold”, the olive juice, and our very own “gold”, a valued good in the Olive Oil Politeia. At the mouth of the rhyton, “the spiral, a dynamic pattern of archetypal power, becomes a symbol of a smooth, endless course, a symbol of evolution and growth. The spiral movement always draws the attention to its center, where everything begins, around which everything revolves”. (Adonia Skaraki, AS Advertising)
We sincerely thank our excellent associates Mrs. Adonia Skaraki and Dr. Mina Tsikritsi for their work and advice on symbolism and brand naming.
For us, olive oil is a food incorporating many of God’s gifts. The love we have for each other, the respect for our land and history, the joy and peace that comes from the contact with nature, from cultivation and harvest. That's the reasons we humans were made. To be like these rebellious and joyful creatures, free, to co-create with nature and enjoy its beauties and fruits. Joy and gratitude pass into our harvest. The production bears the mystical sanctity of an entire year’s efforts. So, the olive oil energy brings along the power of blessing, of doing good and sincere works.
Our olive oil tastes like joy, cooperation and evolution. We want every friend to make it part of their diet, therefore of themselves. Thus, our little Zakros will grow and, as an Olive Oil Politeia, embrace the whole world, into a drop of gold.
Into the Historic Good of our Land.
