ABOUT AKAKIA

THE COMPANY

AKAKIA Publishing or AKAKIA Publications or simply AKAKIA is a Publishing House, founded in London, Great Britain. With extensive experience in publishing in Greece and the United Kingdom, we wholly undertake publishing and distribution of electronic books (eBooks) at a minimal cost, as well as publishing Printed Books on a Print on Demand basis, and their marketing via Amazon. Our English-language eBooks will be marketed via major sales channels of electronic books, such as Amazon, iTunes, Waterstones, WHSmith, Foyles, Tesco and Greek-language eBooks via e-Bookshop.gr. The logo of AKAKIA Publishing consists of a small twig of the ACACIA Tree.

THE TREE

AKAKIA (Aκακία, Acacia) is a plant genus belonging to the Mimosa family. It grows into an evergreen or deciduous tree or shrub with compound pinnate leaves with short but strong thorns. Its flowers are small and of yellowish, yellow, orange, or more rarely, white, colour arranged in inflorescences that form spherical heads, cylindrical catkins, or ears. ACACIAs secrete gum arabic, even under optimal growing conditions, which is considered abnormal. The bark and pods of many Acacia species contain large amounts of tannins used in tanning and for medicinal purposes. Gum arabic, dissolved in cold water, produces the familiar "rubber" that erases pencil from paper.

SYMBOLISM

The Greek word "Akakia" is a compound word and consists of the prefix "a"- “non” - and the word "kakia", meaning wickedness or evil. Etymologically, that refers to a condition of absence of evil! In Byzantine times and during early Christianity akakia referred to a cylindrical pouch made of red silk that contained soil and symbolized human finality and the uncertainty of earthly existence. The prophet David, in one of his psalms, says: "My Lord, do not deprive the goods to those walking in virtue (Psalm. 83). Also, tradition says that Apostle James, the brother of St John, while being led to the site of his martyrdom, met the man who had informed on him. James stopped, and kissing the man said "Be in peace, my brother." Marvelling at such absence of evil in Apostle James, his informer enthusiastically declared "I am a Christian from this day on." Following his confession, he was beheaded together with the Apostle James, and together they took the road to the Kingdom of Heaven. According to the Bible, the ACACIA tree may have been the "burning bush" (Exodus 3:02), Moses came across in the desert. Also, when God gave Moses the instructions for building the Ark, He asked him to make "an ark" and "a table made of AKAKIA wood” (Exodus 25:10 & 23). ACACIA is used as a symbol also in the Occult and Esotericism, and is said to represent purity and endurance of the soul, and to symbolize resurrection and immortality. The tree is given more importance in the description of the burial of Hiram Abiff, the builder of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Several parts (mainly bark, root and resin) of acacia tree are used to make incense for rituals. ACACIA resin is used as incense, especially in India, Nepal and China, including Tibet. The smoke from AKAKIA bark is thought to keep demons and ghosts away, and puts gods in a good mood. The incense is created from the roots and resin of ACACIA mixed with parts of Rhododendron, Acorus, Cytisus, Salvia and some other incense mixtures. In Russia, Italy and other countries, it is customary for women to adorn themselves with yellow mimosa blooms, amidst other flowers on International Women's Day, March 8. These mimosa blooms are actually taken from ACACIA Dealbata (Silver Mimosa).