When we go through the history of religions, as well as ancient cultures, we will find one thing in common - the symbol of a tree. Most of the cultures referred to it as the Tree of Life. In most cultures the tree was a symbol of immortality. Currently, it is considered as a symbol of the Creator of the Universe - that divine energy that interconnects each and every being.
The most popular tree symbol is the Tree of life in the Garden of Eden ( Hebrew legend ), guarded by a snake. Another popular one is the Cross of Christ, which is considered as a tree of life. Cross symbolizes the meeting of Heaven and Earth, the union of the holy spirit and the heart (Orthodox Church). Kabbalah's symbol of the Tree of life and knowledge, depicts the flow of creation from the Divine to Earth and back to the Divine.
Mayan tree of life is a cross with it center being the point of 'absolute beginning', the source of all creation and its branches passing through each of the three layers of existence - Underworld, earth and the sky. Tin- tir-ki, the old name of Babylon, means 'the place of the tree of life. The magical fruits of the tree of life in Babylon could only be picked by the Gods. The early Sumerian art depicts a pole or tree intertwined by a pair of snakes. This tree is known as 'axis-mundi'. This tree connects all the three cosmic planes - heaven, earth and underworld. The Assyrians substituted the tree for the caduceus (winged staff) with coiled snakes circling around the wooden staff. The snake - a symbol of underworld consciousness, climbs up the staff - representing earth and transcends to winged reality - the heaven.
The Egyptian tree of life is Acacia. The first couple Isis and Osiris emerged from it. According to them life and death are enclosed in the tree of life. In Nordic cultures too there is a tree of life - Yggdrasil. It is a huge Ash tree which provides the water of knowledge. There is an eagle (symbol of Thor) on the top of the tree and a snake coiled at the roots. Two dogs guard the tree. Gods daily meet on this tree.
In pre-Islamic Persian mythology, there is a reference to a Haoma tree which bears all seeds. A drink made out of the plant provided immortality and essential qualities needed.
In Baha'i faith writings there is a reference to a tree of life which is planted in Paradise. The tree represents the spiritual realm.
In Buddhism there is the Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa ) under which Buddha sat when he got enlightened.
Chinese tree of life has a phoenix and dragon. The dragon at the bottom symbolises immortality.
Taoists' tree of life produces a peach every 3000 years. The person who eats the peach achieves immortality.
The Inverted Tree of Life in Bhagvad Gita*.
* http://ashasnair.blogspot.com/2016/04/inverted-tree-of-life-bhagvad-gita.html
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