The Significance of the Fig Tree

Figs, also called Ficus (scientific name: Ficus carica) are hardy, versatile trees that are able to grow in the harshest conditions. They are a large group of approximately 850 species native to the tropics. Figs trees vary in mass, and their eventual size depends on the fertility of the soil. Excessively fertile soil yields a large and abundantly fruitful tree, while poorly fertile soils produce small, shrub-like plants that bear little fruit.

Historical and Religious Significance

The fig was a significant tree in the life and time of Jesus Christ. Its prominence has been highlighted in the Bible and has been mentioned in other ancient scripts, including the Muslim holy book, Quran (or Koran).

According to Timothy Maurice Pianzin in the book "Parables of Jesus," the fig tree was the official symbol for Israel during the lifetime of Jesus Christ because of its social and economic significance.

Figs were revered in ancient Greece, where strict laws were imposed to prevent the export of good quality figs. Figs were considered sacred in ancient Rome. According to popular myth, the wolf that nurtured the founders of Rome, Remus and Romulus, took respite under the shade of a fig tree.

Economic Significance

Figs trees have high output and are valued for their economic significance. Fig trees, although slow to grow, bear fruit for 10 months of the year. Fig wood is soft and flexible and is used for ornaments, garlands and hoops. The export of figs contributes to the Iranian economy.

Ecological Significance

Wild fig trees are a primary source of nutrition for some fruit-eating species, including capuchin monkeys, fruit bats and langurs. Birds such as bulbuls, fig parrots, hornbills and Asian barbets feed exclusively on figs when they are abundant. Caterpillars feed on the fig leaves, and some species of beetles feed on the wood.

Nutritional Significance

Fig fruits contain a rich mix of carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fibers, proteins and fats.

A 3.5 ounce (100 gram) serving of dried figs contains approximately 249 kilocalories (1,041 kilojoules) and are an excellent source of manganese and potassium.

Health Benefits

Figs are associated with numerous health benefits. Fig fruits are a source of calcium and promote bone density. Fig leaves have antidiabetic properties and manage diabetes in insulin-dependent patients. According to Frances Sheridan Goulart in the book "Super Immunity Foods," figs stabilize blood pressure, cholesterol, protect against heart ailments and disease and promote healthy bones. They promote healthy immune systems and have anti-cancer benefits.