The Tree of Life in art – a universal symbol across civilizational boundaries

A majestic Tree of Life with far-reaching roots and branches, glowing against a golden sunset on a hilltop. The Tree of Life stands as a powerful symbol, deeply resonating through world cultures. This enduring concept has shaped human understanding throughout history. Ancient Mesopotamian palace reliefs and the massive ash tree Yggdrasil of Norse mythology demonstrate its significance. Yggdrasil connected nine worlds, linking the underworld, the earth, and the realm of the gods.

The enduring significance of the tree raises questions about its universal appeal and how it has managed to maintain its importance in civilizations worldwide. The cyclical nature of life finds its perfect expression in the tree – leaves fall and sprout anew each spring, reflecting the eternal rhythm of the cosmos.

Celtic tradition centers on the Great Oak , with Druids conducting their worship in ancient groves. The oak's intertwined branches reflect the Celtic belief in the continuity of life. This powerful symbol has influenced the relationship between artists and their audiences throughout the centuries. Modern interpretations continue to emerge, as seen in Terrence Malick 's critically acclaimed 2011 film. This piece delves into the meaning of the Tree of Life across cultures, revealing the sacred symbolism that makes it a universal emblem of growth, connection, and transformation.

The Tree of Life in ancient civilizations

The symbol of the Tree of Life is deeply rooted in the soil of human civilization. Its earliest forms appeared thousands of years ago in many ancient cultures. This powerful image grew beyond mere decoration and became a way for early societies to understand cosmic order, divine power, and the cycle of life.

Mesopotamian and Egyptian origins

The Tree of Life originated as one of humanity's first sacred symbols in ancient Mesopotamia . The walls of Assyrian palaces depicted a stylized tree with a main trunk, side branches, and sometimes flowers at the top. Winged spirits stood beside this iconic image, holding buckets and bowling implements, seemingly blessing it or making it fertile.

While texts rarely mentioned it directly, scholars see this repeated pattern as a symbol of cosmic order, divine authority, and fertility. The tree became a powerful symbol of kingship . The throne room of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud featured the tree beneath a winged sun disk, representing the divine world order upheld by the king.

Egyptian civilization also considered the Tree of Life a sacred religious symbol. The sacred Ished tree , known as the Persea tree, played a central role in ancient Egyptian myths. This sacred tree first grew in the sun temple of Atum Ra in Heliopolis when Ra Atum , the sun god, first appeared. The tree's fruit bestowed eternal life and knowledge of the divine plan—a map of destiny.

During the coronation ceremonies, Thoth, Ra's secretary, wrote the name of each pharaoh on his leaves to protect and continue their rule.

The Egyptians also viewed the sycamore fig ( “nehet” in ancient Egyptian) as another form of the Tree of Life. They believed that this sacred tree protected and nourished the dead in the afterlife, giving them the breath of life. The Lady of the Sycamore Fig – often associated with Hathor – became a caring goddess who stood beneath the tree's branches, providing water and food to the souls in the underworld.

The sacred fig tree in Hindu and Buddhist traditions

The sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) holds profound spiritual significance in four major religions of the Indian subcontinent: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Sanskrit texts refer to it as "Ashwattha ," and Hindu scriptures frequently mention it, beginning with the Rigveda . Holy men meditate beneath it, while devotees circumambulate and worship it.

Buddhists consider the sacred fig tree particularly important because it was under Bodhi tree Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The first tree in Bodh Gaya , Bihar, led, through careful cultivation, to other Bodhi trees, creating a family of sacred trees associated with this life-changing moment. The Mahabodhi Temple complex , built in front of this tree, became one of the holiest sites in Buddhism.

Hindu cosmology depicts the Ashwattha as an upside-down cosmic tree. Krishna's words in the Bhagavad Gita describe it as "neither end nor beginning nor any standstill ," with "its roots upward and branches downward ." This profound symbol represents the eternal Brahman , in which all worlds exist.

Yggdrasil in Norse mythology

The Tree of Life in Norse mythology , Yggdrasil , is considered "perhaps the cosmic tree par excellence ." This massive ash tree stands at the center of Norse cosmology. Its branches reach to the heavens, while its roots extend to the underworld. Yggdrasil connects and supports the Nine Worlds of Norse cosmology—everything depends on its health.

The Poetic Edda tells us that Yggdrasil is under constant attack: “A deer nibbles at the top, but it crumbles at its side, and Níðhöggr [a vicious serpent] tears it apart below.” Many snakes slither beneath it, while a squirrel named Ratatoskr runs up and down, delivering insults between the dragon below and an eagle in the upper branches. Four deer—Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr, and Duraþrór—eat its leaves.

Yggdrasil's name means "Horse of Odin" (Yggr is one of Odin's names). This name originates from Odin's sacrifice when he hung on the tree for nine nights to find the runes. The Hávamál quotes him as follows:

“I know that I hung for nine long nights on a windy tree, wounded with a spearhead, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself.”.

This sacrifice gave Odin knowledge, which he later shared with humans.

The trembling of the tree signals Ragnarök – the destruction of the universe – and shows how this cosmic tree shaped the Nordic understanding of existence.

Biblical and Abrahamic interpretations

The Tree of Life evolved from simple mythological imagery into a profound theological concept within the Abrahamic faiths. This powerful symbol shaped humanity's spiritual experience and divine revelation. Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions gave it unique forms while preserving its connection to life, knowledge, and divine presence.

Tree of Life in Genesis and Revelation

The Bible tells us about the two most important trees in the Garden of Eden : the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. God placed the Tree of Life “in the middle of the garden” as a special gift to humankind. This tree was different from others that offered beauty and food. It possessed an extraordinary power—the gift of eternal life.

God blocked access to the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate from the forbidden tree.

He may not reach out his hand and take from the tree of life and eat and live forever.”

Cherubim with flaming swords protected this divine tree. God's action demonstrated both judgment and mercy – it prevented humanity from remaining forever in its fallen state.

The Tree of Life makes a dramatic comeback in Revelation during the restoration of the lost city of Eden. John describes the New Jerusalem as having “the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, each bearing its own fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” This final tree symbolizes God’s restored relationship with humanity, offering food and healing to all.

Kabbalistic Tree of Life and the Sephirot

Jewish mystical tradition , particularly Kabbalah , transformed the Tree of Life into a complex spiritual diagram. It reveals God's nature and creation. This iconic symbol first appeared in print in 1516 and became fundamental to Kabbalistic teachings.

The Kabbalistic Tree depicts ten Sephirot (singular: Sefirah) – divine emanations that reveal God's essence – arranged in three pillars. These Sephirot act as spiritual lights, revealing aspects of the Creator. They contain the fundamental principles of creation. Each Sefirah connects the infinite, unfathomable Creator with our physical world.

The ten Sephirot are: Keter (Crown), Chochmah (Wisdom), Binah (Understanding), Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Strength), Tiferet (Beauty), Netzach (Victory), Hod (Splendor), Yesod (Foundation), and Malchut (Kingdom). They fall into three categories: intellect (the first three), emotions (the middle six), and action (the last).

Kabbalists believe that this tree represents true channels of divine energy flowing from Ein Sof (the infinite God) into our universe. They strive for spiritual growth and divine connection by studying these divine attributes.

Islamic Sidrat al-Muntaha

Islamic tradition speaks of a cosmic tree called Sidrat al-Muntaha (Tree of the Boundary), which is mentioned in the Quran. This sacred tree marks the place that no one can pass through and represents the limits of created knowledge and the beginning of divine mystery.

The Quran mentions it in Surah 53 (Al-Najm), verses 14-16 , during the Prophet Muhammad's spiritual ascension: "near the Sidrat al-Muntaha ," which was "covered by that which was covered ." The Arabic word "muntaha" means "termination," "boundary," "extremity," or "limit," indicating that this tree stands at the edge of creation.

Muslims often associate the Sidrat al-Muntaha with Muhammad's miraculous Night Journey (Isra) and Ascension (Mi'raj). Muhammad traveled beyond the seventh heaven and found this boundary-marking tree. A commentary explains:

It's a very large tree, way beyond seventh heaven.”

It is called Sidrat al-Muntaha because everything that rises from the earth and everything that descends from the sky ends there.

Some scholars see similarities between this celestial tree and the burning bush of Moses. Both represent moments of divine revelation in which the created and the divine spheres are briefly connected.

Celtic and European symbolism

The ancient Celts had a unique relationship with trees that went far beyond what other European cultures felt. For them, trees were not just plants – they were life itself, a sacred connection between different worlds.

Celtic Tree of Life and Druidic reverence

The Celtic Tree of Life, "Crann Bethadh" in Irish ( "The Nourishing Tree" ), remains one of the most powerful Celtic symbols to this day. It illustrates how life connects everything, with roots and branches intertwining to create harmony in the world. Celtic tribes would always leave only one tree standing when clearing land for settlements. They would choose an oak tree to stand precisely in the center, both to bring good fortune and to pay homage to the Tree of Life.

The tree's ideal balance held special significance for them. Its branches reached towards the sky, while its roots dug deep into the earth, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. Druids—Celtic priests whose name may derive from "duir ," the Celtic word for oak—viewed trees as gateways between worlds. These spiritual leaders held their ceremonies beneath sacred trees. They believed that trees held the spirits of their ancestors and possessed magic that could offer aid in difficult times.

Trees were not just spiritual symbols – they helped people survive. They provided shelter, food, medicine, and materials for buildings and weapons. But this practical value made trees even more sacred, not less.

The role of the oak tree and the Ogham alphabet

The oak tree stood as the king of the forest in the Celtic world. People valued oaks because they lived so long, remained strong, and provided them with acorns. The Celtic word "daur" for oak led to our modern word "door" —supporting their belief that oaks opened pathways to other worlds.

All the major European cultures held the oak tree in high esteem. Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs, and Germanic tribes associated this tree with their highest gods – Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun, and Thor. These gods ruled over rain, thunder, and lightning. Druids loved to be worshipped in oak groves. Some experts say that their name actually "knower of the oak .

This deep respect was also evident in their writing. The Ogham alphabet , Ireland's ancient writing system dating back to at least the 4th century AD, is known as the 'Celtic tree alphabet' . Each of its 20 letters was associated with a specific tree, which they considered a 'forest' of wisdom. People carved these letters along a vertical line with outward-facing slots, similar to the shape of a tree, and read them from bottom to top – just as a tree grows.

Medieval and alchemical interpretations

The spread of Christianity in Europe changed the symbolism of trees, but did not eliminate it. Many early Christian churches were built in old oak groves and preserved their spiritual significance. St. Columbanus , a Christian, respected oaks so much that he refused to cut them down.

Medieval Europe transformed the Tree of Life into a complex symbol in alchemy, illustrating how everything was interconnected. People imagined it as a cosmic tree with deep roots in the ground and upward-reaching branches—just as the ancient Celts understood it. This image became crucial to the mystical philosophy of European cultures and remained significant well into the Renaissance and beyond.

Mesoamerican and indigenous representations

The symbolism of the Tree of Life took on unique forms throughout ancient Mesoamerica . These forms embodied cosmic principles that united the underworld, the earth, and the heavens. Sacred representations continue to shape indigenous cultures today and offer an explanation of pre-Columbian worldviews.

Maya Ceiba tree and cosmic axis

Mayan cosmology revolves around the magnificent Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra), their sacred world tree. Various Mayan languages ​​refer to it as wacah chan or yax imix che . This majestic axis of the world stands as the center of creation. Its roots reach into the underworld of Xibalba , while its trunk rises through the earth and its branches extend into the celestial realms. This cosmic pillar shaped the Mayan understanding of reality.

The Maya built their world on a four-part order derived from their creation myth. Their cosmic worldview placed sacred trees at the four cardinal directions – red east, black west, yellow south, and white north. A vital fifth, central tree united these realms. This fifth tree provided the only path between the worlds. Gods could only enter the middle world through it.

The influence of this cosmic tree permeated the architectural and ritual spaces of the Maya. They arranged prestigious temples in a four-part order to honor the five trees of creation. The tomb of K'inich Janaab' Pakal in Palenque features Tree of Life inscriptions on its tomb walls, demonstrating the profound significance of the concept.

Aztec Tamoanchan and sacred juice

The Aztec civilization viewed Tamoanchan as a mythical paradise. Here, the gods created the first modern humans from sacrificed blood and stolen bones from the underworld. This primordial place served as the "matrices" in which existence originated.

Aztec codices depict Tamoanchan through a distinctive symbol—a split tree, blossoming and bleeding. This image alludes to a pivotal mythological event. Sacred stories recount sexual transgression in Paradise that led to the felling of the Tree of Life. This act forever altered the relationship between humans and gods. The broken tree symbolized exile from Paradise and marked humanity's fall from harmony into toil.

The Tree of Tamoanchan was deeply connected with fertility and cosmic order. This primeval garden featured flowing waters and fruit-bearing trees. It represented an environment of endless freshness and natural abundance. This misty paradise marked the hazy beginning of creation.

Inca Milky Way and cosmic tree

The Andean peoples called the Milky Way "Mayu," a celestial river they believed fed all the water on Earth. The Inca saw this cosmic current as a sacred bridge between Earth and Heaven, mirroring their Qhapaq Ñan road system. Both elements were alive and formed parts of a unified whole.

The Inca to constellations was unique. They found them in the shadowy spaces of star clusters, which they called yana phuyu Mach'acuay , the Snake constellation, rose upside down in August and set in February, mirroring the seasonal patterns of real Andean snakes.

The central world tree concept of the Inca tradition represents the Milky Way. This celestial tree created a cosmic axis that shaped their understanding of the universe. It connected the underworld with the earthly and celestial realms and demonstrated the interconnectedness of all creation.

Tree of Life in art throughout the centuries

Imagination is the real and eternal world, of which this plant universe is only a faint shadow.”

— William Blake , visionary poet, painter and printmaker (1757-1827); influential figure in Romantic art and literature

Throughout history, artists have brought the symbol of the Tree of Life to life in various visual media. This ancient motif continues to evolve, while its fundamental meaning as a bridge between worlds remains unchanged.

Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life

Gustav Klimt's masterpiece "The Tree of Life, left part of the triptych Stoclet Frieze" stands out as the only landscape from his golden period. He employed oil painting techniques with gold paint to create luxurious works of art during this time. The symbolist work, created between 1905 and 1909, depicts swirling branches interwoven into a web of strong twigs, long tendrils, and delicate threads, thus representing the complexity of life.

Branches stretch towards the sky, while roots dig into the earth, creating a visual connection between heaven and earth. A lone black bird sits at the center of the painting, reminding viewers that everything that has a beginning must also have an end.

Piet Mondrian's "The Grey Tree"

Piet Mondrian's "The Grey Tree" (1911–1912) is a pivotal work in the transition from Impressionism to Cubism and marks the beginning of his abstraction. The artwork reduces nature to a structural framework of lines, employs an achromatic palette (grey, black, white), and arranges the branches in a flat, almost geometric pattern. It illustrates the search for the universal order hidden behind visible form.

Modern sculpture and architecture

Sculptors and architects have reinterpreted the Tree of Life symbol with remarkable breakthroughs. Frank Lloyd Wright created iconic “Tree of Life” windows for the Darwin D. Martin House , featuring geometric patterns. Diagonal “branches” terminate in colored “leaves” and radiate from a central, trunk-like form.

Daniel Libeskind a 45,000-square-foot complex in Pittsburgh for Tree of Life , commemorating the victims of the 2018 synagogue attack. Maya Lin's installation, "Decoding the Tree of Life," at Penn Medicine, combines blown glass and cast stainless steel in a two-story sculpture. Her work draws inspiration from three distinct forms—a river, a tree, and DNA—and explores how science and medicine help us understand the foundations of life.

Tree of Life in Film and Media

Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" (2011) offers perhaps the most profound cinematic interpretation of this symbol and won the Palme d'Or . The film juxtaposes intimate family scenes in 1950s Texas with cosmic imagery ranging from nebulae to dinosaurs, connecting microcosm with macrocosm.

Animated films also frequently feature the image of the Tree of Life. Grandmother Willow in "Pocahontas" shares wisdom, while the spectacular Tree of Souls in "Avatar" directly connected to the transcendental being Eywa . These artistic interpretations demonstrate how the symbol of the Tree of Life resonates across centuries and creative disciplines.

Modern symbolism and psychological meaning

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it truly is, infinitely.”

— William Blake, visionary poet, painter and printmaker (1757-1827); influential figure in Romantic art and literature

The Tree of Life symbol underwent a remarkable transformation in the 20th century. Psychological interpretations have revitalized this ancient mythological symbol into a powerful tool that helps us understand the human psyche and our connection to nature.

Carl Jung and the archetype of the self

Carl Jung viewed the Tree of Life as a representation of the self archetype—the central organizing principle of the psyche. For Jung, this powerful symbol represented the process of individuation, a lifelong experience on the path to wholeness and self-realization. Jung analyzed its appearance in alchemical texts and dreams in "The Philosophical Tree .

He observed how it often appeared in mandala forms, representing psychic wholeness. At its core, the tree embodied the "Axis Mundi" —a spiritual concept connecting different levels of existence. This symbolic bridge between the personal and the collective unconscious helps us integrate opposing aspects within ourselves, such as masculine and feminine energies.

Tree of Life in New Age Spirituality

Contemporary spiritual movements have adopted the Tree of Life as a symbol of all-encompassing growth, ecological awareness, and the sanctity of nature. The image serves as a focus for meditation, aiding in grounding, centering, and expanding consciousness.

Modern interpretations emphasize the representation of the tree as a symbol of infinite potential and the unfolding mystery of life.

Ecological and holistic interpretations

The Tree of Life represents humanity's essential connection to nature – especially now, as urbanization and technology create a distance between us and our natural environment. This symbol reminds us how interdependent we are with all living things.

Scientists are now combining evolutionary biology with ecological studies. They are recognizing how ancient adaptations shape modern ecosystems. In other words: "Phylogenetic diversity begets ecosystem diversity ," which shows why preserving biodiversity is important for stable ecosystems.

Concluding remarks

The Tree of Life stands as one of humanity's most enduring and universal symbols, transcending cultural boundaries while retaining its core meaning. Ancient civilizations worldwide embraced this powerful image as a cosmic axis connecting earthly life with divine realms. Hindu traditions revered the sacred fig tree, Norse mythology celebrated Yggdrasil, and the Maya valued the ceiba tree—each serving similar purposes despite their independent development.

Religious texts added deeper layers of meaning to this symbol. The Bible depicts it at the beginning of creation and at the final restoration, while Kabbalistic teachings transformed it into a complex spiritual map revealing divine attributes. The Islamic tradition of Sidrat al-Muntaha marks the boundary between human understanding and divine mystery.

This ancient motif continues to inspire artistic creativity. Psychology has brought a new understanding of this symbol. These views reflect today's environmental concerns and spiritual connections to nature.

The Tree of Life demonstrates the shared wisdom of humanity across thousands of years. Its core meanings – growth, connection, change, and bridging different worlds – remain constant within us humans despite cultural variations

This enduring symbol speaks to something deep within our human consciousness: our understanding of life cycles and our role in the cosmic order.