Noli altum sapere - Latin motto
The Latin motto 'Noli altum sapere', placed vertically next to the tree, is a quote from Romans 11:20 meaning 'Don't be arrogant' or 'Don't be proud'. This image is Robert Estienne's logo, and it dates back to 1526.
You might mistake the word 'sapere' in the Latin motto 'Noli altum sapere' for 'fapere', but that's simply how the long 's' was written during that era.
In the Mediterranean world, the olive tree is associated with peace, abundance, and wisdom in both ancient mythology and biblical tradition. In ancient Greece, the olive was the tree Athena gifted to the people of Athens - through its wealth-generating harvest, illuminating oil, and remarkable longevity, this gift came to symbolize civilization, intellect, and strategic wisdom. Because olive trees can live for centuries and constantly renew themselves with fresh shoots, they're synonymous with immortality and resilience in both the Greek and Roman worlds.
But why a severed branch?
The symbolism here is this: a branch that stops holding onto its roots - meaning one that arrogantly relies solely on its own strength - will inevitably break off from the trunk. The fact that the severed branch is drawn with leaves still attached illustrates a state that might look 'alive' from the outside, but is actually doomed to die since it's disconnected from its roots. This points to a person or community that boasts of its knowledge and achievements, but has internally lost its core connection.