Mystical World Wide Web MYSTICAL TREES

INTRODUCTION TREE MYTHOLOGY
A 2 Z
SYMBOLIC TREES
DOOL TREE CO-EXISTENCE TREE COSMOGONIC TREE BACK 2
SUBJECT GRID
JESSE TREE MYSTERY TREE PILLAR OF DED
TREE OF ABRAHAM SPEAKING TREES
Tree of the Sun
Tree of the Moon 		BYZANTINE WORLD TREE







































INTRODUCTION

Many primitive people of noble, highly developed civilisations treated trees, flowers and plants with great respect. Often trees were associated with having supernatural powers, being gods, ancestors and associated with different forms of worship, whilst flowers and plants were viewed too as also having medicinal applications and miraculous healing qualities.

The Druids, particularly, believed that trees possessed great mysterious powers especially the rowan and the oak. It is currently believed by some that the power and strength represented symbolically by the tree trunk could be the reason why standing stones were erected to reflect the respect bestowed upon nature. Since ancient times man has been influenced by trees throughout Europe, whilst we can see such images reflected in Mexican sculpture and carving, and also in Ancient Indian artefacts where sacred trees have played a central role in the belief systems. The Ancient Greeks too are known to have highly respected the power and nobility of trees as paintings and pottery indicate images of reverence and gratification.

Perhaps today the idea of touching wood, to ward off evil and encourage good luck, is a living remnant of our ancestor's spiritual practice, as in ancient times touching wood indicated respect of the tree and the mysterious powers of the spirit gods that inhabited the trees and woodlands. Currently, it is thought that to grow chives around the bottom of an apple tree will improve the general health of the tree. Perhaps learning more about the interdependency of flowers, herbs, plants and trees may lead us to a further understanding of how to improve our local environments? Browse through the associated sections on this site to know how this may be possible.

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Symbolic Trees

B

Byzantine World Tree


This tree was thought to reach out across the universe. Heaven, Earth and Hell were believed to be at the top of this rather unusual tree. Unusual as it was reputed to be made of iron. The roots of the tree were thought to be composed of the omnipotence of God.
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C

Co-existence Tree


As trees were known to be seen as representative of the world itself and its inter-relationship with nature by early man it is not surprising that the Co-existence tree is concerned with the interdependency of all things on Earth as the branches grow up strongly and outwards from one single trunk which represents unity. The roots of the tree represent the need to embrace life and draw life from the earth to survive. The sap of the tree was seen to flow through the tree like blood through the veins and therefore to place things in the tree would enable a healing process to take place for either an animal, human, place or season. (Refer to drinking of the sap of trees to promote healing or dispel evil/poison in many faiths). In many pictures of the tree, cats and birds can be seen sitting side-by-side in harmony, no squabbling and certainly no death. Each is content and the overall systems is in balance.
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Cosmogonic Tree


The 'Ghanta', the 'Kadamba', the 'Ambala' and the 'G'ambu' are the four greatest trees in India. They represent the four cardinal points and are seen along with four elephants which were thought to hold up the earth. (See also Mystical-WWW : Animals) G'ambu is seen as the principle tree which grew on Mount Meru. The top of this was seen as the ultimate summit of creation.

The 'Manorathadayaka' is a sacred tree in India which grew in the garden of 'Vidyadharas'. This tree was believed to be able to grant any wish or desire, even being able to fulfil the desire of having children.

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D

Dool Tree


Also known as the 'Grief Tree', the 'Gallows Tree' and simply 'The Tree'. This tree was found in Scotland (UK) and used by Highland Chieftains. The tree was normally placed on high ground so that it could be seen by the public from a distance for a specific reason. The Highland Chieftains would hang their enemies or any deserter from the Dool Tree. Many such locations can still be found, not just in Scotland but across the UK. The high ground became known as 'Gallows Hill'.
Medieval Song
(sung in the round)

'Come follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow me.
Wither shall I follow follow follow,
Wither shall I follow follow thee.
To the Gallows
To the Gallows
To the Gallows, Gallows Tree.'























J

Jesse Tree


Portrays the genealogy of Christ, found in manuscripts and stained glass. Christ was seen among and above the branches of the tree which is shown as a vine issued from Jesse (father of David).

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M

Mystery Tree


Another version of the Cosmogonic Tree in the form of a 'sacred pole' was revered by the Omaha people of North America. It was called the 'Mystery Tree'. The tree was the home of the 'Thunder Bird' and the centre of the four winds.

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P

Pillar of Ded


The Ancient Egyptians worshipped different deities depending on the location of the home, and it was believed that they would inhabit an object. The god 'Osiris', considered to be the 'lord of eternity', it is said manifested himself in the form of a pillar made of wood in the village of Dedu. The figure of Osiris is represented as a mummified figure with a pillar on his head. The pillar is called 'Ded' and was linked with the resurrection of the dead Osiris. A priest and relatives of Osiris would help the Pharaoh in a feast concerned with the erection of a pillar. Having laid a wooden pillar on the floor, the group would lift up the pillar which was seen as symbolic of the actual moment of Osiris's resurrection. This pillar later became associated with representing the four pillars which held up the earth. The Ded symbol was always placed around the neck of a royal on death to ensure a safe passage after death.

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S

Speaking Trees : Trees of the Sun and of the Moon

These two trees are believed to grow on the Indian border and are revered in a Persian legend. The tree was reputed to be guarded by frightening birds that would spit fire by day but that disappeared at night. It is also said to have two parts to the trunk; one being male representing the day, the other female representing the night. The two parts only spoke according to the time of day each symbolised. Alexander the Great, revered as conqueror of the world, is said to have come upon the trees when travelling to India at a place called 'Damghan'. The solitary 'Plane' tree was stood in the middle of a dry arid area and is thought to have sought counsel with the trees who could foretell the future. Alexander was advised that he would die young at the height of his notoriety, that he would not return to Macedonia, and that others would be credited with the success. This forecast appears to have been true as Alexander died in 323 BC at Babylon.

Some believe that Marco Polo was advised by the Tree of the Sun, some believe it was the 'Dry Tree'. He described it as a:

'tall and thick tree, having the bark on one side green and the other white; and it produces a rough husk like that of a chestnut, but without anything in it. The wood is yellow like box, and very strong, and there are no other trees near it nor within a hundred miles of it, except on one side, where you find trees within about ten miles distance. And there, the people of the country will tell you, was fought the battle between Alexander and King Darius.'
The legend of the Dry Tree, also known as the 'Withered Tree', is thought to have originated from the Prophet Ezekiel:

'And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish : I the Lord have spoke n and have done it.'

(xvii. 24)

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Tree of Abraham


According to one tradition it is believed that Abraham lived and met with angels under a tree also known as the 'Oak of Mamre'.(See also Mystical-WWW Trees : Oak) It is a little bit of mystery to the exact identity of the tree as it is not certain exactly whether the tree was an oak. The Turpentine Tree is thought to be the likeliest species. Another belief says that the Tree of Abraham grew from a sacred staff carried by one of the angels on his visitation. Whichever belief may be accurate, the tree is said to have been created at the beginning of time and that it still exists on the Mount of Mamre (Mambre).

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Tree of Knowledge and Tree of Life


Both trees are said to stood in the Garden of Eden. The forbidden fruit of the 'Tree of Knowledge' is said to have brought the creation of man into being and that the 'Tree of Life' enabled man's redemption, the latter providing shelter and shade for the former. According to Christian philosophy, the Tree of Life has also been called the 'Tree of Adam' and the 'Tree of the Cross'. The tree is believed to have dense green foliage and to have provided Adam and Eve with shelter from God's watchful eye. (Some believe it may have been a Fig or Banyan tree). Brought naked into the world the tree is thought to have provided the two with leaves for clothing.

According to one of the legends attached to the Tree of Knowledge, it is said by some that Eve concealed a branch of the tree when leaving the garden which she later planted. Some believe that this was not the case, and that the Archangel Gabriel in fact gave Eve three leaves on a small branch from the Tree of Knowledge and told her to plant it on Adam's grave. This she did and the branch grew into a tree. The tree was later removed and replaced by an ornamental tree, planted by King Solomon. The tree was then submerged in the water of the pool of Bethesda. When the time came for Christ's crucifixion it is said by some that this is the wood that was used to make the cross.(See also Mystical-WWW : Easter, Christmas)

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Tree of Thorns


This tree is said to grow in Hell and is believed to be associated with torture and horror. Called the 'Salmali' or 'Calmali' the tree has large thorns and it extremely big in width and height. It is also known as the 'Tree of Hell' or the 'Tree of Yama', (Yama is the Hindu god of death). Yama is thought to live close by to the tree.

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W

World Tree


Known amongst Scandinavian nations traditionally as the 'Ash Yggdrasil'. Having three main branches and roots the tree was believed to have sprung from the beginning of time out of primordial slime and ashes.

The roots represent time, past, present, and future, and all spread to reach wells or fountains at different points. The first root was next to a fountain or well called 'Hvergelmir' in 'Niflheim'. The second root was by inhabited by 'Mimir' in 'Jotunheim'. The third root was found by 'Vurdh' or 'Urdar'. This was in heaven and a sacred place were the gods would hold their meetings.

The central first branch reached out over the whole universe and ran through the centre of the earth holding it up. 'Asgard' was a mountain and home of the gods and rose up out of where the root pierced the earth. The leaves on this branch represented the clouds whilst the fruit were the stars.

The second branch came up by a place of a fountain with holy water and guarded by the three 'Fates' or 'Norns' (Vurdh, Verhandi and Skuld). The Fates represented the past, present and future respectively. The water fed the tree, and in the fountain one could see two swans which represented the sun and the moon.

'Hunangsfall' is like honey and is believed to have fallen from the tree. Scampering amongst the branches and nibbling the top shoots were four male deer. At the top sits an eagle which represents the atmosphere with a hawk ('Veorfolnir') representing the ether. 'Nidhoggr' is a serpent that represents the inner torment that is in every person and is coiled up at the bottom of the tree with other snakes, continually attacking the roots. The serpent waits to take over the earth. A squirrel, 'Ratatosk', runs up and down the main stem between the eagle and the serpent endeavouring to engage the two in a process of salvation. It represents the snow and the rain. (See Mystical-WWW Animals and Birds : Squirrel, Eagle)

'Mimir' is seen as a wise man, or in some cases a giant, that dwells in the second fountain providing a source of wisdom for man. The water here too provides the source for all streams. The 'Frost-Giants', or 'Hrim-thyrs' also live in Jotunheim. When the last judgement or final conflict occurs a horn called 'Giallr' will be sounded by 'Heimdallr'. He is the warder of the gods who live on the mountain. When everything in the world is about to end including time itself the gods and men will be raised for the final fight, known at the 'doom' or 'twilight'.

The following poem tells us what will happen after the final conflict. The tree will grow once again and the gods will meet on 'Idafield' beneath it. A new host of people will inhabit the earth. They have been hidden during the conflict in 'Hoddmimir's Grove (the World Ash), Their parents are 'Lif' which means 'Life' and 'Lifthrasir' which means 'Desire of Life' (who could be equated to Adam and Eve).

'Woluspa' or 'Lay of Wala'
taken from 'The Edda'

'The sons of Mimir tremble, the tree in the middle takes fire
At the startling sounds of the noisy horn;
Heimdal, horn in air, loudly sounds the alarm;
Odin consults the head of Mimir.
Then the Ash raised from Yggdrasil,
That old tree, shivers; the Jotun breaks his chains;
The shades shudder upon the roads to the lower region,
Until the ardour of Surtur has consumed the tree.'

Also known traditionally as 'Irminsul' in Germanic culture. The name refers to the trunk of the tree as it represents the structures which hold up the universe. The roots of the tree are similar to the 'Yggdrasil'. Wooden sculptures of the Gods were placed on wooden pillars called 'Irminsul'.

'Upon an yrmensul
Stood an idol huge,
Him they called their merchant.'

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World Tree of Buddha


Buddhists view the 'Pippala' or 'Acvattha' trees as being the actual Cosmogonic tree, although some say it may have been a Palm tree. The tree is believed to be the 'Tree of Ambrosia', the 'Tree of the Wise', the 'Tree of Perfection', the 'Tree of Holiness' and as a 'Cloud Tree'.. Seen mythologically as a glowing tree of the rarest divine flowers which glistened. The centre of the Buddhist belief focuses on how when Buddha was born. At this time a great flash of light was seen to travel around the world. After this a branch of the Acvattha grew at the centre of the universe.

Buddha is said to have sat under a tree for six years meditating in isolation. Many negative forces approached him. The negative forces took the form of demons that hurled rain, hurricanes, burning darts and darkness at him. Buddha retained control of the tree and sent the demons away. Saving the tree ensured that wisdom and knowledge would survive. It is said that the leaves of the tree are always moving which is believed to signify that the meditations of Buddha continue. The tree is thought to be a 'Pippala' (Fiscus religiosa), a sacred tree.

The 'Kadamba' tree is also been believed to be the 'Tree of Buddha'. With brightly coloured orange flowers the Kadamba tree is thought to return lovers.

The 'Man'g'ushaka' tree is covered in precious stones which produced the earth and water. Believed to grow in the Buddhist Paradise and sprinkled with water from the 'Anavatapta' the tree is a place for meditation. LINK TO (See Mystical WWW Main Index Philosophy)

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