Tree of Life: meaning, symbolism, and the origin of one of the world’s oldest symbols.

Tree of Life is an ancient image of the connection of all living things. It expresses the vertical axis between heaven (spirit), earth (matter), and what lies beneath the surface—the mystery that nourishes the roots. In religions and myths we encounter it almost everywhere: as a source of life, a force binding beings together, and a symbol of the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Origin of the symbol

The earliest traces most likely lead to Mesopotamia. There appears the motif of a tree with animals standing on their hind legs, reaching for the branches. Art collections associate it with images of fertility, abundance, and the maintenance of order, and the motif fully blossoms in Assyrian palace reliefs featuring the “sacred tree” attended by winged beings (apkallu).

In parallel and independently, Egyptian and Indian branches also developed. The Tree of Life is therefore a polycentric symbol that arose naturally wherever the tree held value for people.

The Tree of Life across cultures

Whether in Celtic knots, by the Norse Yggdrasil, under the bodhi tree, or in the embrace of the Egyptian sycamore; in this section we focus mainly on the traditions for which we have the strongest evidence, yet in practice this symbol has, in one way or another, touched every culture. And although the stories differ, the common denominator is interconnectedness, renewal, and the quiet wisdom we can carry into everyday life.

Celtic Tree of Life (Crann Bethadh)

The Celts saw the tree as the natural center of the community and a bridge between worlds. When founding a settlement, they often left a massive tree (usually an oak) in the center, and gatherings or rituals took place around it. The intertwined roots and branches in Celtic motifs remind us that what lies in the depth (the past, ancestors, the subconscious) nourishes what we see above ground (actions, relationships, creation). The Tree of Life thus embodies balance, wisdom, and resilience—values cultivated through patience, not shortcuts. Enemies are said to have considered felling the sacred tree a symbolic “cutting off” of the community’s protection, which further underscores its spiritual significance.

The North (Germanic–Norse tradition, Yggdrasil)

Yggdrasil is the cosmic ash whose roots and branches connect the nine worlds. Decisive stories unfold in its shade. Odin “sacrifices” himself upon the tree to receive the knowledge of runes, thus bringing wisdom to the world of humans. Among the roots gnaws Nidhogg; in the crown sits an eagle, and the squirrel Ratatoskr “carries messages” between them—an image of a living, sometimes tense, yet ever-renewing balance. The tree is also a symbol of perseverance and renewal in the face of change (up to Ragnarök and a new beginning).

Buddhism (bodhi tree)

Under the bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) at Bodh Gaya, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) attained enlightenment/awakening. Since then this tree has been a quiet teacher of meditation; it shows that deep roots (stability) and a wide crown (receptivity) arise from systematic practice, not chance. Pilgrims perceive its shade as a space of gratitude and self-reflection.

Hinduism and the Indian tradition (Kalpavriksha, banyan)

Kalpavriksha, the mythical “wish-fulfilling tree,” is linked with abundance and the fulfillment of desires aligned with dharma (the order of things). In the landscape and thought of the Indian subcontinent, the banyan holds a special place—a branching fig with aerial roots, under which teaching and counsel traditionally took place. It symbolizes endurance, wisdom, and the protection of the community. The branches provide shade; the roots take hold again and again—a cycle of renewal reminding us that the “old” can nourish the “new.” On a personal level, it invites us to cultivate patience and generosity, qualities that give the Tree of Life its breadth.

Ancient Egypt (sycamore)

The Egyptian sycamore is associated with the goddesses Hathor, Nut, and Isis, and is depicted as a “giving” tree offering water and bread to souls at the threshold of the underworld. The sycamore is a gate between worlds—the crown protects, the branches reach gently toward travelers on the path, and the roots guard continuity. Hence the Egyptian Tree of Life is a symbol of care, protection, and nourishment (both bodily and spiritual).

(For completeness: Mesopotamia — Assyrian reliefs with a stylized tree and the “bucket and cone” ritual; Hebrew Bible/Kabbalah — the tree of life in Eden and the sefirotic diagram Etz Chajim; China and East Asia — peaches of immortality and the mythical fusang; Christianity — the cross as the “new tree of life”; Islam — the tree in arabesques; Mesoamerica — the ceiba as the axis of the universe.)

Tree of Life: what roots, trunk, branches, and crown mean

Despite great diversity, most traditions agree on three things:

• the tree is a connector of worlds
• it is a living cycle of renewal
• and it is a network of relationships

Let’s now look more closely at its parts and what they represent for us.

Roots

What they represent:

• origin and connection with our ancestors, the memory of lineage and land,
• sources of nourishment (physical, emotional, spiritual), unseen yet supporting everything else,
• grounding—the ability to stand calmly even in the wind.

When in balance: you feel supported, you have rhythm (sleep, food, movement), you know where to return when there’s noise.
When missing/weakened: distractibility, fatigue, the feeling of being “pulled out of the soil.”

Trunk

What it represents:

• the backbone of values and habits that keep you upright,
• the conduit between what you receive (roots) and what you give to the world (fruits),
• direction—the ability to say yes/no and bear the consequences.

When in balance: you appear trustworthy, you have boundaries and flexibility, you act consistently.
When weak/too rigid: you either “break” under pressure, or become stiff and inflexible.

Branches

What they represent:

• the scope of your reach—education, work, creation, community ties,
• exploration of space—curiosity and learning,
• distribution of energy—how much sap (time/attention) each branch receives.

When in balance: you grow outward sustainably; you know how to “prune” what drains the sap.
When overgrown/weakened: scatter, exhaustion, “I have a hundred things and finish nothing.”

Crown (leaves, flowers, fruits)

What it represents:

• the expression of your inner world outward: creation, service, giving,
• light and nourishment—receiving stimuli (the sun’s “light”: knowledge, art, nature),
• fruits—results that those around you can also “taste.”

When in balance: you feel the joy of creating, you share benefit without the need to perform “at any cost.”
When overloaded: shine without sap (burnout), accumulation for the sake of accumulation.

How to work with it in jewelry, art, or ritual

• When you need stability, choose a motif with pronounced roots.
• For self-confidence and boundaries, choose a strong trunk.
• If you want to develop talents/relationships, look for motifs with rich branches.
• For creativity and joy, choose a full crown.

Jewelry and tattoos with the Tree of Life symbol

The Tree of Life motif is, as noted, among the most popular both in jewelry and in tattoos. It is universal, easy to read, and visually harmonious. The circle of the crown, the firm trunk, and the interwoven roots form an image of balance that we naturally long for. That’s why it works equally well on a delicate pendant as it does as a tattoo.

Why is it such a popular motif?

• Strong, positive symbolism: growth, stability, renewal, interconnectedness.
• Timeless aesthetics: the circular composition and natural symmetry are pleasing to the eye.
• Versatility of the motif: it looks good small (earrings, wrist) and large (medallion, back), in linework, dotwork, watercolor, or with Celtic knots.
• Connecting cultures: it carries a “good message” across traditions (Celtic balance, Norse resilience, Buddhist wisdom, Egyptian protection), making it naturally relatable to many people.

The Tree of Life in spiritual, meditative, and Ayurvedic practice

The Tree of Life is a great “carrier of intention,” reminding us of what we draw from (roots), who we are (trunk), and what we give to the world (branches and crown). Below you’ll find practical steps you can use at home—gently, simply, and regularly.

Yoga poses

• Tadasana (Mountain): center the “trunk” (posture, breath, presence).
• Vrksasana (Tree): balance, attention to the root of the standing foot; if unsure, practice by a wall.
• Uttanasana (Forward Fold): “watering” the roots, releasing the head.
• Urdhva Hastasana (Arms to the sky): opening the “crown,” gentle stretch of the sides.

Working with the chakras

• Roots = Muladhara: sense of safety, the theme of home.
• Trunk (lower) = Manipura: self-worth, boundaries, courage.
• Trunk (middle) = Anahata: compassion, relationships, forgiveness.
• Branches/crown = Vishuddha–Ajna–Sahasrara: expression, intuition, connection.

Why choose the Tree of Life symbol

Simply because it is a beautiful and intelligible symbol that always carries a positive association regardless of age, origin, religion, or style. It reminds us that we have roots to lean on, a trunk of values that keeps us upright, and a crown with which we touch the world around us through relationships, creativity, and small everyday acts. That’s why it so naturally fits as a delicate pendant around the neck, a discreet wrist tattoo, or a gift for a new beginning, graduation, or anniversary.

Discover on our blog What are runes? Origin, meaning, archetypes, and their use

Author: Frederik