If you grew up before smartphones, you might remember the last of the small, coded gestures exchanged on the schoolyard. Fig was part of that unspoken language.
Missed a meeting? Pranked a friend? You raised your hand with a hidden thumb, and the message got through. It wasn't aggressive or vulgar, but a playful way of saying, "Not bad!"
The message is compelling. Without formal instructions or explanations, this gesture is passed down from generation to generation. Like a grandmother's recipe or a children's song, it has naturally become part of their customs.
A gesture full of emotion during work moments
Over time, the fig tree took on a more intimate meaning. Throughout European history, sources mention this tree as a symbol of perseverance.
Men held a wedding ring or a small, precious object in their hands, forming a figure. It wasn't a challenge to the world, but a silent reminder of what was most important: love, courage, and hope.
This isn't just a joke. Here the gesture becomes personal, almost meditative. A way of telling oneself: "I'm holding on."
A truly cruel tribal man who has become a discreet refuge.
Why has the fig tree almost disappeared?
Today, we express our rejection with a voice message, an emoji, or a GIF. Digital language has replaced some of our gestures, and the word "fig" has become less common.
However, it hasn't disappeared entirely. Each of them can be found as a small lucky charm or in some families where the tradition is discreetly maintained.
What's changing isn't the need to disagree or defend ourselves, but the format. The essence remains this: we continue to seek definitive ways to assert our limits without engaging in conflict.
What if, deep down, the fig tree reminded us that we can calmly say “no,” delicately defend our space, and express our strength through this symbol of protection… without ever raising our voice?
