In literature the word “oil” wears many hats, appearing as both a practical ingredient and a potent symbol. In ancient culinary texts, such as those by Apicius, oil is essential for flavor and texture in recipes—from frying and marinating foods to binding sauces in dishes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. At the same time, oil takes on a sacred resonance in religious and mythic contexts, serving as a medium for anointment and purification in biblical passages and theological narratives [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. Beyond these realms, authors use oil metaphorically or literally to evoke sensory details or to symbolize modern industry and decay, as seen in descriptions of lamp oil’s aroma in urban settings [11, 12, 13] or oil as a commodity fueling economic shifts [14]. Across these diverse contexts, “oil” emerges as a versatile literary element that bridges the mundane and the mystical.