"Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness."
~Kahlil Gibran
The tree is an iconic image of heraldry and symbolic significance in various cultures throughout the world. It represents many things, including the Great Mother in her nourishing, sheltering form, as well as a sacred spot of attainment and spiritual enlightenment. Deeply rooted into the evolutionary psychology of our race as well as earth’s powers, it draws water from the soil and stretches up to the heavens and eternity, acting as a world axis. In occult or Gnostic circles, it is seen as being emblematic of the “axis mundi”, the world pillar, and the center of the earth itself. It is closely linked to the symbolism of the pillar and the mountain, as well as connotations of a phallic representation, best signified by the ancient usage of obelisks for ritual and ceremonial purposes. It serves as an intermediary icon of the mysterious dimensions between the realm of gods and men. A common Shamanic concept has the “seeker” or “healer” using the world tree in order to transverse the physical realm and bring back secrets from hidden dimensions.
Individual trees, types and groups of trees, all have their specific associations and mythic significance. For example, the evergreen tree represents immortality, while most fruit-bearing trees are often seen as sources of life. Forests and groves have been immortalized as magical places where mystifying or meaningful events occur, such as the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment while meditating beneath the Bodhi Tree, or perhaps the most well known representation, the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden from Genesis. To the ancient and enigmatic Druids who practically worshiped the forces of nature, each type of tree, and the wood it produced, had a sacred and special power which was to be honored and revered.
Veneration of trees, and even tree worship, is widespread throughout history, be it in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North or South America. Many traditions speak of the tree of life – a sanctified vessel which is the central point and pivot for the entire world. This tree links heaven and earth due to its mystical rooting in the unknown realms of the underworld, yet its branches still reach out to the heavens, symbolizing man’s striving for perfection and wisdom. When Muslims kneel on their carpets facing Mecca in order to pray to Allah, you might notice that many of the rugs have entwining symbols of trees and branches, representing the tree of life and salvation.
In Chinese traditions, trees (and flowers) most often symbolize longevity and fertility. In this region the most popular woods are bamboo, the cherry tree, and the pine, which are known as “the three friends” because all three trees are of the evergreen variety and usually appear together in Asian artwork. Wood itself is a mother symbol, while burnt wood represents wisdom and death. According to many elder customs, during sacrificial rites the energy or essence of the offering will be transferred into the ashes and burning embers of the fire, while the cremation of bodies was idealized as “returning to the seed state”. All of these ideals are deeply entwined with primitive fire-symbolism and the ability of wood to change forms and elements. The utilization of wood and fire may very well have been the origin of Neanderthalilic alchemical discoveries.
The following isn’t meant to be exhaustive or the penultimate version of world tree mythologies, but hopefully it can shed a little insight and raise some thoughts and discussion into the prominence of this holy icon; displaying some of the various similarities between world cultures and their belief systems, all centered around the “world tree”, the “axis of the earth”, as well as the “family tree” and how this relates to symbolic notions of heredity and bloodline. From living in them, to trying to understand them, to worshiping them, to raping them, humanity has had a very intimate relationship with tree associated “nature spirits” since time immemorial.
*Tree of Knowledge: Arguably the most famous tree in history, it was the centerpiece of the Garden of Eden and the source of Adam and Eve’s temptation. Though a symbol of forbidden attainment, it rested in Paradise and bore the fruit of knowledge for both good and evil. God gave permission to eat of all the fruits of the garden but forbade the consumption of the seed which grew upon that certain tree. Persuaded by the great serpent (a representation of Satan), Eve ate the fruit and Adam followed soon after, condemning themselves (and the human race) to a life of endless wandering and atonement, separated from the land of eternal balance and unity. It could be debated that the Tree of Eden is actually a representation of male sexuality, the seed being that of oral pleasure and prohibited (seen as unnatural) exhibits of human promiscuity. The serpent itself often takes on phallic undertones which might better emphasize the allegorical message which this tree represents, being rooted in the regulations of reproductive functions. Whatever the case, the serpent has forever been associated with the tree or the “rod”, in particular the Rod of Asclepius, and the entwined serpents of the Caduceus, crawling up the winged staff which represented the prominence, and protection of, ancient Sumerian and Egyptian bloodlines. Serpents and dragons are usually depicted as guardian figures that hold and preserve secret knowledge only meant for the initiate.
*Tree of the Hesperides: Probably the most similar myth to that of the Garden of Eden, are the Greek tales of the Garden of Hesperides wherein grew a tree growing golden apples of transcendence and immortality. In the final of his twelve tasks, Hercules travels to the isle and must take possession of these apples in order to prove his strength and valor. However he is greeted by a powerful dragon (iconic of Satanic serpent) who guards the island though is finally defeated by Hercules after a great battle. The Hesperides themselves were the daughters of Atlas and Hesperis, and in an allegorical sense this has been perceived as an astronomical metaphor, where the Hesperides represent the eventide, the garden is the firmament, the golden apples are the stars, the dragon is the Zodiac and Hercules is the sun. However you look at it the legend of the hero’s quest is a common one, enduring great feats of worthiness, and finally being granted the sacred boon in which he or she seeks.
*Tree of Horus: Osiris was the brother of Nephthys and Seth, as well as the brother and husband of the goddess Isis. He was usually depicted in human form wrapped in mummy garb, and holding the blessed symbols of the crook and flail representing divine ruler-ship of the flock. Sometimes he was shown with green skin which was meant to embody the essence of death and the afterlife (along with the jackal headed Anubis, Osiris was a funerary god of the underworld with many cults dedicated to his regenerative power), but this has since been reconsidered as possibly equating to a “reptilian” aspect of this god. He wore a crown known as an ‘atef’ which is widely regarded as symbolizing the unification of upper and lower Egypt, symptomatic of the gods of heaven and the underworld.
Killed by his brother Seth in an act of jealousy, the usurper of the throne tricked Osiris into stepping into a wooden coffin which he promptly slammed shut and pushed into the Nile River. Afterward, Osiris was never to be seen again, in the land of the living, but only to be reborn as the Pharaoh Horus who would rule again in his place. Determined to save and protect her husband and king, Isis journeyed down the Nile and into the Delta town of Byblos where she found the coffin encased in a Tamarisk Tree. After making deals with public officials, she managed to bring Osiris and the coffin back to Egypt, impregnating herself with the dead semen of her lover. One day while Isis was attending to her duties as queen, Seth came across the dead corpse of Osiris and chopped it into fourteen pieces again casting the parts of the body into the Nile River. Once more Isis was able to find all the parts of her husband and piece the body back together, except for the penis which had been eaten by a hungry crocodile (in some cases a giant fish). She fashioned a golden phallus which was later buried in the territory of Mendes where a sex cult of priestesses eventually formed which honored the symbol of the goat. Isis is often depicted in ancient artwork, somewhat looking like a kite hovering above the world, while the golden penis of Osiris impregnates her from below with the seed of a new king. In ancient Egypt in particular one might realize the fuller complexities of phallic worship in relation to the mountain, the pyramid, the obelisk, and the world tree.
*The Bodhi Tree: Meditating beneath the tree for days, this is the sacred spot under which the Buddha was said to have reached enlightenment. He too was sharing the space with a serpent, a classical being of the Nagas variety, though instead of tempting the Buddha, it protected him from a fierce storm which would have interrupted the transcendental meditation that he was to experience. There are various tales of the Buddha interacting with reptilian-like Nagas warriors, and to this day new disciples into the monk-hood are called Nagas, while Bodhi trees are grown outside of most monasteries in order to signify this prominent event in the Buddha’s life.
*The Yggdrasil Tree: This is the evergreen ash tree that, in its mythological form, represents the entire world according to Norse tradition. The trunk symbolizes the central axis of the universe, and the waters of wisdom bubble up from beneath its holy roots. This tree is seen as the union point between the nine worlds of Norse cosmology, and the place where the great god Odin hung for nine nights in order to discover the mystical knowledge of the rune-stones. The name of Yggdrasil is basically meant to refer to “The Terrible Steed of Odin”, and the “crucifixion” of Odin on the world tree is likely a few hundred years older than the Christian tales of Jesus’ death on the cross. The intricacy of Yggdrasil and how it entwines with the nine worlds of Norse religion are too complicated to adequately cover here.
*Tree of Life (Kabbalah): The Tree of Life, or Etz haChayim, is a symbol of Jewish mysticism which is based upon Gnostic reinterpretation of earlier Hebrew texts. It represents the path to God and how He created the physical world from the nothingness of chaos. Though it is never defined, many believe that the Tree of Life in Kabbalah is representative of the Tree of Knowledge in the Genesis story and other World Tree traditions. As the word Kabbalah is strongly associated to secret teachings (literally an oral tradition of “mouth to ear”) it is difficult to ascertain the hidden complexities of the system, largely numerical and interpreted by specific sections of the “tree” which equate to specific levels of consciousness and awareness. The Tree of Life not only speaks to the origins of the physical universe, but also of man's place in the universe. Since man is invested with the facilities of Intellect, consciousness in the Kabbalah is contemplated as the fruit of the physical world, through which the original infinite force can experience and express itself as a finite entity. In many ways it’s similar to how Christ is seen as the divine vessel of God, so that God might experience, and save, the world in its material form.
As stated, with the Druids and Celts certain trees held a special significance, whether it’s as fuel for heat, cooking, building materials or weaponry. However, they didn’t only hold significance for the material understanding of wood but also as that of a gateway to the spiritual world. Trees of unusual size and beauty, the range of supplies which they provided, defining physical characteristics, all added to the overall allure and perception of the tree’s “spirit” and their prominence in Celtic mythology. Trees are living things, filled with the essence and energy of the elemental forces of nature with an aura of power which is visible to those who are openly seeking balance and harmony on their spiritual quest. The lore surrounding a particular tree or wood was indicative of the perceived powers which that tree was believed to possess. Among some of the most prominent trees which were venerated by the Druids are the Alder, Apple, Ash, Birch, Blackthorn, Broom, Cedar, Elder, Elm, Fir, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe, Oak, Pine, Rowan, Willow, and Yew. Among these, perhaps the most universally heralded is the sturdy and majestic oak tree.
This tree has also been considered sacred by just about every other culture throughout history, though it was held in particular regard by the Celts because of its size, durability, long life, and nutritious acorns. The oak was considered the "King of Trees" in a grove, and magic wands were often said to be made from its wood. Popular Druid “Serpent Eggs” were made from Oak galls, while acorns gathered at night were believed to hold great fertility powers. Druids and Priestesses intently listened to the rustling of oak leaves and wrens living in these trees in order to divine sacred messages and prophecy. Burning oak leaves was believed to purify the atmosphere and dissipate malignant spirits which might be haunting the area. This tree is also associated with Germanic and Scandinavian thunder gods and is sacred to the gods Juno, Jupiter, and the Celtic Donar. In China it represents a fragile strength since it does not bend in the wind but can only break. In Judaism it is a symbol of divine presence, while in Europe the oak is a symbol of heroism.
Though now largely associated with insatiable Western consumerism and greed, perhaps the most widely spread usage of all comes in the popular Christmas Tree. Prevalent throughout Europe and North America, the Christmas tree is supposed to be a representative symbol of Christ the Redeemer and the overcoming of original sin. The ornaments on the branches are the apples from the tree in Eden, while the star at the top represents the star that the three wise men were said to follow, as well as Christ himself, the light of the world. In Roman times the tree and holly were used as part of the Saturnalia festival celebrated in Mid-December, a symbol of the sun god Mithra, later adapted as the birth date of Christ during the Winter Solstice, as the light became reborn again through the near arrival of Spring. Quite a few researchers have even equated the Christmas Tree and figure of Santa Clause to that of the sacred mushroom and Shamanic customs going back many thousands of years.
While there’s much more to the bigger picture than can be represented here, subtle nuances and belief systems, it seems obvious that the tree icon has been one of utmost importance and notoriety throughout the mythologies of the ancient world. A nurturer, life giver, supplier, psychic vehicle to the underworld, and crucial element of our fragile eco-system, it’s only natural that the myriad of living species in the vegetative biosphere would hold a special prominence to the belief systems, mystical traditions, and human understanding of civilization. They were here long before us, and will likely remain long afterward; one can only stand in awe before these fragile behemoths which transcend the lifetimes and generations of mortal men. We should hold the natural world in awe and reverence, not allowing the perversion of greed and disregard to spoil the beautiful riches of our wonderful planet. This is Eden, THIS is the spot of all spots, the view of views, the Axis Mundi of our divine revelation, the serpent who ever tempts with the golden apples of our desire. The tree, as above, so below, and beyond all else, remember; only you can prevent forest fires.
=================
-Pearl Jam: In My Tree-
up here in my tree, yeah
newspapers matter not to me, yeah
no more crowbars to my head, yeah
i'm trading stories with the leaves instead, yeah
wave to all my friends, yeah
they don't seem to notice me, no
all their eyes trained on the street, yo, oh
sidewalk cigarettes and scenes, (tem-pted)
up here so high i start to shake
up here so high the sky i scrape
i'm so high i hold just one breath here within my chest
just like innocence
(eddie's down in his home)
(oh, the blue sky it's his home)
(eddie's blue sky home)
(oh, the blue sky it's his home)
i remember when, yeah
i swore i knew everything, oh yeah
let's say knowledge is a tree, yeah
it's growing up just like me, yeah
i'm so light the wind he shakes
i'm so high the sky i scrape
i'm so light i hold just one breath and go back to my nest
sleep with innocence...
up here so high the boughs they break
up here so high the sky i scrape
had my eyes peeled both wide open, and i got a glimpse
of my innocence... got back my inner sense...
baby got it, still got it
Posted by: THoTH on Saturday, August 09, 2008 @ 01:00:00 CDT
Thanks as always THoTH for your interest. I think this article turned out pretty well, even though there are always so many ins and outs that could be further covered (if you wanted a 20 page article!)
Re: Wrestling with Ladon: The mythical significance of trees (Score: 1) by walt_rn on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 @ 15:14:25 CDT (User Info | Send a Message)
Friend Mad30 , Thank you so very , very much for your truly magnificent post ! It was , at once , both richly informative and challenging to the imagination .
Your words "psychic vehicle to the underworld" were found to be of particular personal relevance , as for almost two years I've expended an exhaustive amount of energy in the form of archival research , central to which is a 400 plus year old Mulberry tree (as noted in the "Ghost" forum) which was used for the most cruel (and frequently unjust) of judicial punishments . In the course of said research , I'd encountered the term "Witche's Tree" . According to local lore , one individual was tasked with the assignment of destroying said tree (post last execution in the year 1811) , but after two swings of the axe , it was the axeman who was felled . The tree still stands , with the deeply , heartwood carved date though warped , remaining clearly discernible . The "otherworldlyness" of the tree (and what I consider its "captivating" spirituality) is a phenomenalistically palpable challenge .
Beyond the technical expertise and artful splendor of your post , please know that I am sincerely appreciative of your ability to expand the horizons of my consciousness via your obviously giving nature .
Thankfully , walt
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