Across all cultures; from the mystical East to the Christian
West; they have pondered deeply about the meaning of life. What is it about
life that fascinates us all? Perhaps, we should go back to the root and
question just why are we born? What purpose do we have in life? Are we the ones
who set the purpose or is it predestined?
All cultures have tried time and time again to explain this.
Despite the different interpretations, it seems that there is one image that
dominates across many cultures which is a Tree of Life. For most, it is a
mystical tree, seen as a symbol that unites the earth and sky. The roots are
firmly planted in the ground, signifying stability, its branches and leaves
grow towards the sky and its trunk, the being that unites both sky and earth.
In this sense, all beings on Earth are related to one
another as we live on the same place which is a part of this Tree. Every being
is equal and each species will give and depend on other species; such as how
the grass feeds deer which is eaten by the tiger and eventually the tiger
decomposes on the grass, feeding it with nutrients. Each person, each culture
in the world is just a branch belonging to the same Tree.
For the Egyptians, the acacia tree is their tree of life. It
is due to the tale of Isis and Osiris who emerged from an acacia tree which is
the patron tree of Iusaaset, one of the early Egyptian goddesses with vague
origins. In the Baha'i faith, their view on the tree of life is more symbolic.
The Tree of Life is the embodiment of the Manifestation of God, the source of
all spiritual good.
The Norse's Tree of Life was called Yggdrasil. It grows in
the middle of Asgard, an evergreen Ash tree that shades worlds with its
branches. The Norse gods held all meetings and court under this tree. The god,
Odin, hung himself from the branches of this tree to gain power over the runes
and all their secrets. On the day he gained the knowledge, he fell, screaming.
A tree seems immortal as it can live for hundreds of years;
so people view it as being able to bear witness to several generations of a
family. Perhaps being the etymology of the phrase "family tree". When
a tree (which could mean the current generation) falls, the seed (sons and
daughters) are left behind and they will spring forth to be new lives. A more
direct interpretation would be the "branching out" of a family from
one generation to another; like a grandparent to the father and then the
daughter and etc.Use website click http://www.yoboo.ch/
In Chinese mythology, images depicting the Tree of Life bear
a phoenix and a dragon with the dragon representing immortality. Such is the
fascination with immortality with people in China that a tale in Taoism tells
of a tree that produces a peach every three thousand years and the person that
ate the peach will live on for another three thousand years. This tree is owned
by Xi Wang Mu or "the Queen Mother of the West". She is one of the
oldest figures worshipped in Chinese history.
Trees are symbols of longevity and even immortality to the
Chinese. Confucianism has deeply rooted itself into the heart of Chinese
culture and this is one of the reasons why immortality or even possessing a
long life is so important to the Chinese: The older one gets, the more that
person is held in reverence; as living a long life equates having more wisdom
and will hold a very high position in society.
Journeying to the West, the Tree of Life is one of the two
main trees (besides the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) planted in the
Garden of Eden. Catholic Christianity believes the Tree of Life represents the
innocence of humanity that is free from all sin including the Original Sin.
This is the state Adam and Eve were in before they displeased God. It is also
associated with the tale of Eve taking an apple from a tree; coaxed by the
serpent and biting into it, dooming mankind in sin.
In Proverbs 3:13-18 of the King James Version of the bible,
it is said that those who attained wisdom, which is "more precious than
rubies", have gained the Tree of Life. In a further chapter of Proverbs
15:4, it describes one with a moral character is akin to having the key to the Tree
of Life.
The Tree is also known as a 'Creator' whereby the tree
provides protection with its great leafy shades and it provides fruit for the
nourishment and regeneration of life.
Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution used a
diagram of a tree to explain how each species is related to each other. He
called this, the "Tree of Life" as well. Be that as it may, recent
research is disputing this. Instead they call it " a web of life ". A "tree" is deemed as too
simple as species crossbreed on a frequent basis.
All in all, the symbolism attributed with this tree is
applicable to humans around the world, regardless of age, gender or culture. As
we grow, we must have beliefs that are deeply rooted yet seek wisdom by
branching out and finally, to connect them, we have a trunk (the mind and
body). The Tree of Life resounds with a powerful message that is understood by
all: unity.
The Tree of Life is found in multitudes of ancient to
contemporary artworks found all over the world. In South-East Asia, artists
stylize their concept of the Tree of Life in exquisitely intricate batik pieces
that uses a tedious and repetitious process of waxing and dyeing the cloth.
There is one thing that sets these South-East Asians depictions of the Tree of
Life apart; which is a common use of a gold element as gold symbolizes
longevity and wealth which can be interpreted as having wealth in longevity.
Sometimes, gold leaf is used to achieve this effect and this Javanese
technique, known as batik parada/prada (A type of batik that uses gold to
enhance its designs); is done by applying a paste and letting the gold leaf
adhere to it. This adds an elegant touch to the overall piece.
A Tree of Life artwork is set to be a conversational
centerpiece. Its rich history is complemented with the equally complicated art
of batik-ing. Find a tree of life that suits you today at yoboo.ch.
