Irish Celtic Gaelic Tree of Life symbol

CLICK HERE

THE TREE OF LIFE IS AN ICONIC ANCIENT CELTIC SYMBOL

 

The Tree of Life is one of the most stirring symbols around the world. It represents the never-ending cycle of all existence and the idea of stability and strength

 

The Tree of Life is one of the most stirring symbols in the folklore of the Celts. The Celtic people felt a deep and spiritual sense of unity with nature. Trees were far more than food, shelter, or even meeting places. Trees were considered to be living beings, worthy of the same respect one would show your friends or family. They were also representative of the never-ending cycle of existence including the ups and downs of life that come along with it. Because of the seeds that are spread in its fruit, the tree can never truly die, and so it is fitting that the Tree of Life is associated with immortality and abundance.

 

Oak trees in particular were revered by the Celts as being the centre points of the universe and were considered to have mystical energy. The old Irish word for “oak” is daur, an early version of the word “door”—which referred to an entrance to a secret world.

 

The people of pre-Christian Ireland believed the ultimate Tree of Life to be rooted in Uisneach, the spiritual center of Ireland, located in County Westmeath.

 

After the arrival of Chistianity in Celtic culture around 432 A.D., the Tree of Life became linked with the Tree of Knowledge, the source of eternal life, wisdom, and agency that resides within the Garden of Eden. Genesis reads: “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”The Tree of Life reappears in the final book of the Bible, the Book of Revelations. In its last chapter, the tree is described as located within a new garden of paradise, no longer forbidden to those who dutifully follow the word of God.

 

Often depicted as a deep-rooted, broad-crowned tree encircled by a continuous circle which represents eternity, the Tree of Life is still used today as a symbolic device in literature and film and brings a sense of stability and power to those who invoke the Tree when in need.

 

Shedding their leaves in the winter months and then remerging with leaves and new growth in spring, deciduous trees are often used in art to represent rebirth and hope, whereas coniferous trees, with their stubborn sameness than carries them through year after year, are often associated with longevity and resilience of spirit., The power of the tree lies not only with the growth itself, but the ecosystem it provides for abundant life of animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. It’s no wonder that trees have for always been viewed as synonymous with the essence of life itself.

 

Many other cultures and societies around the world also revere trees and there are many examples of Trees of Life alive and well still living in communities around the world today. In Bahrain, the Tree of Life is a true tree that has existed for over 400 years. It measures approximately 32 feet high and, despite sitting on a barren hill in the middle of the Arabian desert, is the only fully-leafed tree for miles. How the tree manages to survive is a mystery, as Bahrain does not get enough rain to keep it alive, though many have theorized that its 164-foot roots may be able to reach some unknown subterranean water source. It is also the belief of many locals that this tree is protected by divine power, specifically the god Enki, who is associated with powerful bodies of water in Babylonian and Sumerian tradition.

 

Another example is the El Árbol del Tule, a massive tree that exists in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It has the thickest trunk of any tree in the world, measuring an astounding 46 feet. It is estimated to be between 1,200 and 3,000 years old. One legend, which cites the tree to be 1,400 years old, claims that a priest of the Aztec wind god, Ehecatl, planted the tree in his honour.

 

In Phillipino and Caribbean traditions, the humble coconut is considered to qualify as a Tree of Life in its own right. This is because every part of the coconut is useful to human survival—its water provides a healthy drink, the skin is tasty and nutritious, and the shell can be hollowed out for use in making shelters, clothing and receptacles.

 

The Tree of life has come to be symbolic of many things like:

 

Life, Abundance, Hope

 

Rebirth, Resilience, Immortality

 

Eternity