The topic of immortality has long interested humanity. The search for the elixir of eternal life was carried away by both those in power - kings, emperors, and ordinary people. The symbol that personifies immortality in most religious teachings of the world and cultural civilizations is the tree of life. It embodies strength and longevity.
The meaning of the tree of life in the religions and culture of the world
This concept can be found in the culture of many peoples and religious monuments of the most common beliefs.
Jewish Kabbalah
In Kabbalah, the world is presented as a composition of ten emanations or manifestations of the Supreme Mind. This composition is the tree of life, it is also called Sephiroth or Sephiroth. It represents the elements - Sephira, which have Hebrew names and have magical potential. They are connected with each other by the line “Zivug”, which means “mating”. The Sephira also express the names of the planets of the solar system. The highest point - Kether - personifies God. Divine light passes through it, with each passed element its energy is weakened. Divine radiation reaches its lowest point, Malkuth, having decreased many times over. The lower element of the Sefirot is Earth.
The tree of life, according to Kabbalah, is the expression of a person who has reached the highest state of mind. In the composition of the tree, three main components, called pillars, can be identified. The left side is the basis of severity, the central one is the pillar of balance, and the right side represents mercy. All the Sephira express the states of a person at different levels of spiritual development. As the human soul grows, it passes through all the stages or elements of the tree, and in the sefira of Binah reaches Paradise. And the highest point is available only with a complete cleansing or "correction" of the world.
Bible
The biblical stories also mention the tree of life. They say that God drove the first people out of Paradise, thereby depriving them of this beautiful symbol of wisdom. The tree is mentioned in the Apocalypse and other texts of the Old Testament monuments. In Christianity, this symbol was depicted hung with fruits and guarded by the Serpent, Dragon or Lion.
In other cultures
Also, the tree that gives immortality is mentioned in many ancient legends, for example, in the Hittite memorable text about Gilgamesh, in Egyptian images. In different peoples, it is represented by different types of earthly trees. So, among the Germans, the tree of life is a yew, among peoples practicing shamanism, it is a birch.
Tree of Life Commemorative Patterns
There are several monuments of world culture,imprinting this symbol of immortality. For example, the icon "Tree of Life", which depicts Jesus Christ, surrounded by a vine of grapes. Therefore, this icon also has the name "Christ the Vine" or "Christ the Vine of Truth." Around him are the apostles and, in some examples, also John the Baptist and the Holy Mother of God. This image is based on the gospel stories.
There is another interpretation of the sacred text, which depicts the tomb of the Lord, from which a vine grows with bunches of grapes. From the grapes, Christ squeezes the wine (which expresses wisdom and sacrifice) into a vessel.
The Germans preserved beautiful tapestries with the tree of life depicted on them, which were hung on the facades of fortresses, gates. They were also used as flags on campaigns.
Interesting facts
Not far from the Persian city of Bahrain, right in the desert, the mesquite tree has been growing for 400 years. Locals call it the tree of life, as it grows in the sun-scorched sands, despite the lack of water. This phenomenon attracts many tourists from all over the world.
It is interesting that this symbol of immortality is used in our lives very often. For example, the philosophy of attracting we alth and abundance is common. Practitioners of this system grow a money tree (fat woman) at home. They also make various jewelry imitating this element, for example, beaded pendants. There are meditation techniques called "Money Tree of Life" that contribute to the mood forwell-being.
This symbol has existed since time immemorial and continues to find its new sound in the modern world. Even in the scientific world, this concept is quite relevant. After all, the tree that gives eternal life personifies the genealogical structure of man, his evolution. Further study of this element can reveal new secrets of the universe to people.
