While fashion trends may come and go, the Tree of Life pendant has stood the test of time. With the recent receival of these exquisite pendants from our workshop (pictured above), we’re taking the opportunity to delve deeper into The Tree of Life and its truly fascinating symbolism.
Maintaining profound meaning beyond its beautiful exterior, trees have always held a prominent place in storytelling and lore across different cultures worldwide. They symbolise various aspects of spirituality and life, touching on personal and societal narratives. Here’s a more detailed exploration of its symbolism and why many choose to wear it as jewellery:
Interconnectedness & Unity
The Mayan people of Central America honour The Ceiba Tree as the World Tree believing that it holds up the sky. They acknowledge the Ceiba Tree as the link between the underworld, the earthly realm and the heavens – the three layers of the universe. Much the same, jewellery featuring trees will often mirror the wearer’s connection to nature and the universe. The Tree of Life represents the interconnectedness of all forms of life on Earth, with roots that dig deep into the ground, branches that reach out to the sky and a trunk that connects the two signifying the unity and interdependence among all living things.
Growth & Strength
In nature, a tree grows from a small seed into a tall, strong structure, which can represent personal growth, development and resilience. A tree’s roots also dig deep into the Earth’s soil, ensuring that it remains strong in even the harshest weather conditions. In Celtic Traditions, The Oak Tree beautifully encapsulates this idea. The robustness, longevity and towering presence of the Oak tree make it a symbol of tenacity and grit. Our Tree of Life pendants can remind the wearer of their own life journey, the lessons they’ve learned and the strength they’ve gained along the way.
Family & Rebirth
A tree is made up of a network of branches, mirroring how a family grows and expands throughout many generations. It also symbolises fertility, due to its ability to always find a way to keep growing, through seeds or new saplings. This symbolism is evident in African cultures, where the Baobab Tree represents fruitfulness and is believed to house the spirits of ancestors. For these reasons, the Tree of Life pendant is a popular and thoughtful gift for family members, highlighting strong familial bonds and the importance of remembering where we came from.
Protection & Wisdom
Trees are often seen as protectors of life and sources of wisdom. In many cultures, trees are seen as more than just physical entities; but living beings with spirits that play an essential role in the wellness and spiritual harmony of their communities. For example, in Indian Culture, The Neem Tree is highly regarded as a protector due to its healing properties. Often planted near homes and temples, they protect against bugs and purify air. Similarly, in Aboriginal Australian Culture, the Eucalyptus Tree is believed to protect against evil spirits and thus plays a crucial role in spiritual practices. In Buddhism, The Bodhi Tree is a symbol of enlightenment, with many Pilgrims visiting descendants of the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, to seek spiritual guidance.
The deep significance of trees throughout these cultures is why The Tree of Life pendant may give the wearer peace of mind and a sense of security.
A Personal Touch
Tree of Life jewellery is more than just an accessory; it’s a token that can mirror one’s own life journey. Whether gifted to a loved one or worn as a personal statement, it encapsulates a wealth of symbolism that may resonate with your inner feelings and thus, with your inner self.
If you are interested in acquiring your own Tree of Life piece, we have a variety of pendants available on our website. Our beautiful pendants may be personalised in a variety of ways, including engravings of initials, birth dates or anniversaries. We can even add birthstones to represent both the wearer or a loved one.
Click here to read more about the process of creating bespoke pieces.
