The Palm for Palm Sunday. Secret Meaning: Victory, Success The palm branch as a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life originated in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. Palm branches were awarded to victorious athletes in ancient Greece, and the palm frond and tree itself became one of the most common symbols of victory in ancient Rome. In Christianity, the palm branch is associated particularly with Palm Sunday, when according to tradition palm branches were waved at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palms were adopted into Christian iconography to the victory of the spirit over the flesh.