Tree of life: meaning, what it is and origin - WITH PHOTOS

Surely more than once you have seen a tattoo of the tree of life and is that it is a very old symbol that hides a great message about our life. In general, this tree represents our own existence, since we are born with roots rooted to the ground, until we reach the end of our life. In this article we are going to discover the meaning of the tree of life as well as its origin, so you can understand once and for all what this symbol means that so many people decide to mark on their skin.

What is the tree of life: simple definition

You have to know that the tree of life, in general, refers to the cycle of life. However, it is a symbol that can have significant differences depending on the culture in which we find it. However, the base is always the same: this tree represents our life from birth to our end, which is when the tree reaches the heavens. The trunk represents that union between life and death that is life and all the branches that appear in the tree are the multiple paths that we can find but that, in the end, all end up taking us to our trunk.

This symbol has been part of many religions such as, for example, the Christian, the Jewish or the Celtic and has also been treated as a purely spiritual and personal growth symbol. In fact, this last reading of this tree is what has caused many people today to see this image in their skins or in their clothing.

Origin of the tree of life

But let's talk now about the origin of the tree of life. As we have said, many religions have given multiple meanings to the tree of life, so, next we will analyze some of the most important with their corresponding interpretations.

In the Jewish religion

The Hebrews also made the tree of life a main symbol of their culture. However, this tree was made up of 10 nodes that were all connected to each other, something that represented harmony and the restoration of peace in the world. This meaning that appeared in the ancient Kabbalah was reinterpreted by many other religious traditions such as, for example, Christianity. For the Jews, this tree also refers to the existence of a very complex formula of existence and creation, that is, from the earthly to the divine.

The tree of life in Christianity

In the Christian religion it is considered that the tree of life is the same tree that God planted in the lost paradise . That tree that gave an apple as a fruit and in which the serpent convinced Eve. In the Bible this reference to the tree of life appears, as in Genesis where it is indicated that it had magical properties since it could offer immortality.

In the Christian conception, the tree of life has often been equated with the cross of Christ. The reason for this simile is because the tree gives life to humanity, just as the cross did. This tree is described as a grandiose, majestic tree that reached higher than the cypresses and was not comparable to any other tree in the garden of God. It is described as a tree with many branches and with a height that was able to reach almost to the clouds.

In the Celtic culture

The origin of the tree of life should also be sought in the Celtic culture where, from always, trees have been living beings with great importance. The reason for this is that, for the Celts, the trees protected them from the cold and the rain, gave them the wood to create fire, they also gave them fruits for their food and allowed them to build their houses thanks to the wood. Therefore, the trees were very venerated by the members of this culture.

In addition, trees were considered as the symbols of life because they could communicate with the environment in a complete way : with the earth thanks to its roots, with the outside thanks to the trunk and the sky thanks to the branches. For the Celts, the tree was the living being that could communicate the earth with the sky and, therefore, was so respected.

The tree of life in the Nordic culture

The Nordics were the ones who gave a pagan vision to this tree because they did not configure its symbology with any particular religion. For them, the tree was an infinite being, had neither beginning nor end. The energy between him moved up and down and, therefore, it was considered that eating the fruits of a tree kept young people in top shape.

The meaning of the tree of life and its interpretations

Now that we know the origin and what is the tree of life, it is interesting that we stop to know what is its base meaning and the different interpretations that can be given to this symbol. Basically, we have to start from the basis that the meaning of this tree is related to the parts of it, that is:

  • Roots sunk in the earth
  • The trunk that grows from what the roots are nourished
  • The branches that are confused and bifurcate
  • The leaves that are the elements that are responsible for collecting the water and, therefore, the force
  • The fruits that appear thanks to the good condition of the tree

These elements are what make up the tree and, metaphorically speaking, they are also what make up our existence. In addition to this, we must not forget that trees are essential for life on Earth because they provide us with oxygen, therefore, a tree can also refer to our very act of breathing, which is essential to be alive.

The leaves of the tree of life are those that offer their "healing" as it supplies water that falls from the sky and allows it to be strong and healthy. And these leaves, seen from a more metaphorical point of view, are our tools to be able to heal ourselves, a healing not seen from a physical point but, above all, spiritual.

The elements in the tree of life

In addition to this connotation with the cycle of life, this tree is also related to the 4 elements of our world, that is: air, water, fire and earth. All these essential forces on our planet are what make the tree alive. So, next, we will analyze where these forces come from and how they help the tree to be in perfect condition:

  • Fire : sunlight is what allows the tree of life to be born and grow
  • Earth : this is the element that provides the tree with food as it nourishes the roots
  • Water : water filters through the roots and leaves and gives the vital essence of life because, without water, the tree could not bear fruit and feed
  • Air : the tree of life reaches the highest, even the air, and thanks to this can benefit the environment and offer us, oxygen, to be able to breathe

Therefore, this type of tree is a living being that enters the planet Earth in a full and deep way. He hugs her with her roots, she needs the Sun to be able to grow and extend her roots, and from the rain and the air is where she can create life and food.