Tree of life

The tree of life is one of the oldest images people share: a tree whose roots reach down and whose branches reach up, joining earth and sky. It appears in ancient Mesopotamia, in the Book of Genesis, in Norse myth as Yggdrasil and in Celtic lore. Most traditions read it as life itself: growing, connected and renewed.

Found in: Mesopotamia, the Bible, Norse and Celtic lore
Oldest forms: sacred trees of ancient Assyria
Often given for: weddings, births, new homes

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What it means

Across very different cultures the tree stands for the same few things: the source of life, the bond between all living things, and the turn of growth, loss and return. Roots, trunk and crown also make an easy map of family: those before us, ourselves, and those who come after.

Where it comes from

Carved sacred trees stood in the palaces of ancient Assyria. In Genesis the tree of life grows in the Garden of Eden beside the tree of knowledge. Norse myth has Yggdrasil, the great ash that holds the nine worlds, and Jewish Kabbalah draws a tree of the ten sefirot, the attributes through which God is known. In Celtic lands, trees marked sacred places and the way to the otherworld.

No single tradition owns it, which is part of its pull: the same tree turns up in a museum of Assyrian reliefs, in a medieval church and on a modern pendant.

How people keep it

Today the tree is mostly worn or hung: a pendant, a wall hanging, a carving near the door. It is a classic gift for a wedding, a new baby or a family gathering, because it speaks of roots and of what grows from them without needing words.

Some families add a small charm or a birthstone for each child, so the tree grows with the household. Others hang it where the family gathers: above the table, in the hall, by the stairs.

Choosing one

A tree with visible roots leans towards family and belonging; one in full leaf leans towards growth. Wipe metal pieces with a soft dry cloth and keep wooden ones away from damp.

A small practice

Hold the tree in your hand, or stand in front of it.
Name one root: a person or a place that made you.
Name one branch: something you would like to grow this year, and write it down.

In the library

Flower of life33 pieces

Mandala122 pieces

Frequently asked questions

What does the tree of life mean spiritually?

In most traditions it stands for life as a whole: the link between earth and sky, between generations, and the cycle of growth and renewal. Many people read it as family and belonging.

Is the tree of life a religious symbol?

It appears in several religions, including Judaism and Christianity, and in Norse and Celtic belief, but it belongs to none of them alone. Wearing it does not tie you to one faith.

Is the tree of life Celtic?

Celtic lore honoured trees, and the knotted Celtic tree is a much-loved modern design. The idea itself is far older and wider, reaching back to ancient Mesopotamia.

Is a tree of life a good gift?

It is a classic one for weddings, births and new homes, because it speaks of roots and growth. A note naming the people it stands for makes it personal.