Symbolism - Tree Of Life Tattoos

In general, the Tree of Life symbolizes the connection between the heavens and the earth. This is not surprising, since trees in general die off in the winter and flower in the spring. Plus, many have seeds which lead to new growth. This makes trees the ideal symbol for religious imagery, including birth, rebirth, death, and resurrection. The tree appears in most Near East creation stories. In many stories, the earth is viewed as flat, and the heavens are supported by the branches of a cosmic tree.
"To Babylonians, the tree was found in the Garden of Paradise, while to the Zoroastrians, the tree was said to be the home of the mythical Phoenix."


Just what kind of a tree is the Tree of Life? Well, that depends on who you ask. For much of the Classical world, it is an oak tree, though ancient Egyptians claimed it was a sycamore or a form of date palm. It is also a palm tree in Assyrian stories, but a cedar in the legends of Native American Indians. In Norse mythology, the tree - known as Yggdrasil - is an ash. The tree has also been associated with olives, figs, and grapes.

Others claim it is the tree of life depicted in the Jewish symbol of Kabbalah, meaning "ancient lore" or "received wisdom." The diagram, which any English teacher would tell you looks like a "tree diagram," shows the interconnections between the ten Sephiroth, or emanations, of God, e.g. strength, love. Some argue that the Tree of Life mythology gave rise to the image and lessons of the kabbalistic tree; others say that people accidentally equate it with the tree simply because of the shape of the diagram. As for tattoo art, we suggest that, if you want to represent the Kabbalah specifically, use the Judaic diagram, and not just any old tree. If you want to represent a tree of life in general to show the connections between heaven and earth, then you can be more flexible and creative in your choices when designing your tree of life tattoo.