Origin and history
The cypress, a slender and majestic tree, is a powerful symbol of the Mediterranean basin. Native to Asia Minor, it quickly spread to Greece, Italy, and southern France. In ancient times, it was associated with eternity and spiritual life, often planted near temples and cemeteries. The Egyptians used its wood to make sarcophagi, while the Greeks used it to make statues and chests. Over time, the cypress tree also found its place in traditional medicine for its circulatory and respiratory properties.