The Tree of Life
Many cultures and religions claim some type of symbolic tree which may be referred to as the Tree of Life. Trees are a unique and powerful symbol of growth as they are the only living things that continue to grow throughout their lifespan.
The Bible talks about the Tree of Life from Genesis to Revelation and several places in between. The Biblical Tree of Life represents the immortality of the soul, or something with health-giving, heartening, or life-affirming properties. And of course the tree is the source of wood, which was used to decorative and symbolic effect in the building of the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple. In areas of the world that are hot and dry, the shade provided by a tree can literally mean the difference between life and death.
The Tree of Life has provided inspiration for artists for hundreds of years. Some examples are this tempera on panel which was probably done for an altarpiece:
The Tree of Life by Pacino di Buonaguida, c. 1300
Another example of the Tree of Life can be seen in this stained-glass window in St. Peter’s Church in Firle, Sussex (England).
From a frieze in the Palais Stoclet in Brussels, Belgium by Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt:
Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt
And this Panamanian mola (a form of textile folk art):
(Image courtesy www.curatedobject.us)
See Tree of Life items on CelebrateYourFaith.com. What does the Tree of Life mean to you?
Tags: symbols
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