The Tree of Life is known throughout the world in many cultures and all seem to have a similar meaning— our connection to all things.
Essentially, the Tree of Life symbolism serves three distinct purposes.
- First, it offers the breath of life, symbolized by the element of air, meant to inspire us.
- Second, its roots extend deep into Mother Earth, drawing nourishment.
- And last, this nourishment sustains the leaves and produces fruit, providing the sustenance needed for us to carry on with life.
Tree of Life Symbolism In Elemental Terms
The four elements of fire, earth, water and air, combine to create the life giving power of a tree.
- Fire, the power of the sun, provides the heat and light for the tree to grow and flourish.
- The element of earth provides nutrients through the trees roots that combines with the power of the sun’s light to keep the tree growing.
- The element of water is vital to all life. It enables the tree grow and then produce the fruit that feeds and nourishes us, allowing our life to continue.
- The element of air also completes a life giving exchange in changing carbon dioxide to oxigen and we continue to breathe. It also carries the pollen and seeds needed for creating the fruit and for spreading life to other areas.
In combining all the elements of our existence, the circle of life continues. There is no beginning and no end, it is all bound together eternally in nature. And so, life goes on completing the never ending cycle.
The Celtic Tree of Life
Ancient Celts called the Tree of Life Crann Bethadt. To honor it when clearing their fields to plant crops, they always left one tree standing. This tree became the place where they assembled to appoint new leaders or to have any important gatherings. While to cut one down was considered a crime, it was also considered a way to hurt an enemy clan when trying to conquer them.
The Celts believed the Crann Bethadt represented the balance and harmony in nature. It was a symbol of long life, represented the cycle of birth, growth, death, and of again being reborn. And, it was a connection of two worlds. The roots reached deep into the lower worlds while its branches grow to reach the upper worlds where the gods reside, and in this way make the connection to the earthly plane.
They also believed that they, themselves, came from the trees and regarded these trees as magickal beings. The Crann Bethadt guarded the doorways to the spiritual realms. Click here to view our Tree of Life products.