Introduction
Since time immemorial, trees have played a sacred role in human religion, culture, tradition, and art. From the wall inscriptions of cavemen in the ancient world to their legendary depictions in various religions, mythology, poetry, cinema, and art, trees have always found a place in human culture. People of the past understood the primal importance of trees in nurturing life and the environment and took measures to protect them accordingly. Thus, throughout the world, trees and plants have been deified, iconified, and sacralized, and are protected from human abuse or destruction.
In India, the neem plant is famously deified, often found in common households, and protected from attacks due to its special status. Likewise, various sacred groves exist throughout the country, which not only evoke religious sentiments but also ensure protection and survival from human exploitation. Let us explore the various ways in which trees have found representation in various cultures across the world.
Sanjeevani Buti in The Ramayana by Valmiki
The Ramayana is an epic from India, written by Valmiki. It recounts the heroic journey of Prince Rama, who is banished from the kingdom of Ayodhya and forced to live as an exile in the forest for 14 years. Unfortunately, during this period, the evil king of Lanka, Ravana, abducts his wife. Ultimately, Prince Rama, with the aid of his brother Lakshman, gathers an army to march across the sea and battle Ravana for the victory of righteousness. However, in the middle of the battle, Ravana’s son, Indrajit, with the magical art bestowed upon him by the gods, deceives Lakshman and wounds him fatally. It is during this pivotal moment that Prince Rama’s chief devotee and commander of the army, Hanuman, flies across the lands to retrieve the Sanjeevani Buti—the magical herb that can heal and cure Lakshman. Unable to identify the exact plant, he carries the entire mountain back with him.
The epic narrative is imbued with multiple accounts of the beneficial and healing properties of various plants and herbs, showing how their cultivation and protection improve the quality of life and enrich the environment. The ancient science of Ayurveda also lays heavy emphasis on the medicinal properties of plants, outlining herbs like ashwagandha, triphala, and others for their benefits. Infact, the important marketing gimmick of mentioning the jadibootian in self care products owes its origin to prominence of Ayurveda and Puranic lore in Indian culture.
Hinduism and Puranic lore have always recognized the divine importance of plants and trees in cultivating the growth of the environment. Seen as guardians and providers of life, the importance of trees has been discussed in detail in the environmental philosophy from Hinduism called Vrikshayurveda (Environmental Philosophy).
The Yggdrasil
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is an immense and central sacred tree whose branches connect to nine interdimensional worlds. Its branches extend far into the heavens, while its three vast roots reach into various realms, including Asgard (the realm of the gods), Midgard (the realm of humans), and Niflheim (the underworld). Yggdrasil is more than just a physical structure; it embodies the interconnection of all life and the cyclical nature of existence. The tree is associated with both life and death, acting as a gallows from which the god Odin hanged himself in his quest for mystical knowledge. It is also prophesied to be the source of new life following Ragnarök, the cataclysmic end of the world. Yggdrasil plays an important and central role in various Norse mythological stories, particularly those mentioned in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.
Incidentally, Yggdrasil also serves as a metaphor for real-life trees and their importance in the environment. It explores the themes of interconnectedness and ecological balance:
Unity of Life: Yggdrasil represents the unity and interdependence of various realms and beings, reflecting the interconnectedness of the cosmos.
Balance of Nature: The tree embodies the balance of nature, where every creature, plant, and element plays a role in maintaining ecological harmony.
It also resonates with the discovery of modern ecological science where trees play an important role in maintaining ecosystems such as:
| Ecosystem Support | Trees provide habitats for numerous species, fostering biodiversity and sustaining complex ecosystems. |
| Climate Regulation | By sequestering carbon, trees help mitigate climate change, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. |
| Soil Preservation | Tree roots stabilize soil, preventing erosion and maintaining land fertility. |
| Water Cycle Maintenance | Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle, influencing precipitation patterns and water quality. |
Game of Thrones
In the universe of Game of Thrones, weirwood trees hold profound cultural and spiritual significance, particularly in the North and among followers of the Old Gods. These ancient, deciduous trees are distinguished by their bone-white bark and deep red, five-pointed leaves. Their sap is also red, giving the appearance that the trees “bleed” when cut. They also have faces carved in them.
Central to the worship practices of the Old Gods are heart trees, which are weirwoods with faces carved into their trunks. These heart trees stand at the center of godswoods, sacred groves dedicated to spiritual reflection and prayer. The faces are believed to have been carved by the Children of the Forest, who viewed the faces in the trees as direct manifestation of Gods, and later adopted by the First Men.
The weirwood trees can be seen as symbols of wisdom, timelessness, and connection to nature, as well as guardians of the natural order. The idea of the Old Gods residing in these trees is particularly striking. It has a parallel with the real-world shift from nature-centered life toward a human-centric approach. In this shift, human politics and capitalistic expansion are seen to hold more value than natural elements or impending ecological disasters. The narrative of Game of Thrones, and the role of these trees within the story, also underscores the ongoing conflict between the natural world and imperialistic expansion.
The Peepal Tree In The Story of Gautama Buddha
Fig trees are often considered sacred, primarily because the famous Bodhi Tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment is a species of fig tree.
After wandering and enduring for countless years, it was not on the luxurious cushions of a king’s seat, in an expensive resort, in the market, or even in marble-laden temples and shrines that the great Gautama found enlightenment.
It was under the quiet and cool shade of a young Peepal tree that Siddhartha blossomed into the Buddha. For this reason, Peepal trees are revered throughout the Asian continent and held sacred for their connection to Gautama Buddha.
Kalpa Vriksha
The Kalpavriksha, also known as Kalpataru, Kalpadruma, or Kalpa Tree, is a divine, wish-fulfilling tree deeply rooted in the mythologies of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and the fulfillment of desires, often regarded as the “Tree of Life” in these traditions.
In Hinduism, according to mythology, the Kalpavriksha emerged during the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean) by the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) in their quest for Amrita, the elixir of immortality. The king of the gods, Indra, took the Kalpavriksha to his abode and planted it on Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology.
The Kalpavriksha represents the interconnectedness of life and the environment, embodying the idea that nature can fulfill human desires when approached with respect and reverence. It serves as a reminder of the abundance that nature offers and the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
Throughout history, the Kalpavriksha has been a subject of artistic expression, appearing in various forms of art, literature, and architecture. It is often depicted with lush foliage and surrounded by mythical creatures, emphasizing its divine nature and significance in fulfilling wishes.
In contemporary times, the Kalpavriksha serves as a metaphor for the human mind and its potential. It suggests that, like the wish-fulfilling tree, our thoughts and intentions can manifest into reality, highlighting the power of positive thinking and focused intention.
The Kalpavriksha stands as a timeless symbol of hope, prosperity, and the profound connection between humanity and nature, encouraging individuals to seek harmony with the environment and recognize the abundance it provides. Incidentally, it also inspires the famous household quote, “Paise kya ped pe ugte hain?” (Does money grow on trees?). Unfortunately, even if money did grow on trees, there wouldn’t be enough trees left to satisfy the inexhaustible greed of the 21st century.
The Shepherds of the Tree from The Lord of the Rings
Ents, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, are sentient and conscious tree-like beings capable of speaking and communicating with other species. They are the guardians of trees, created during the ancient era when the Goddess of the Forest, Yavanna, feared that the relentless axes of the Dwarves would devastate the forests in their unending quest for mining and development.
The central sentiment surrounding the role of nature in an era of unchecked human development is poignantly expressed in the dialogue:
“And whose side are you on, in this war?”
The tree responds, “I’m on nobody’s side, because nobody is on my side.”
This haunting and hopeless response reflects the tragic reality of the post-colonial human world, which prioritizes capitalistic expansion at the expense of nature and ecology.
Tolkien’s Ents serve as a sharp reminder of the inherent conflict between industrial development and natural destruction. They symbolize the exploitation of resources without moderation and the uprooting of natural habitats for human progress. It is high time that the Ents metaphorically “interfere” in the affairs of the Sarumans of this world, serving as a wake-up call to balance development with ecological preservation.
Eywa in Avatar by James Cameron
In James Cameron’s Avatar series, the Tree of Souls (Vitraya Ramunong in the Na’vi language) is the most sacred site for the Omatikaya clan, serving as their closest connection to Eywa, the guiding force and deity of Pandora.
Significance and Function
The Tree of Souls holds profound spiritual importance. The Na’vi use it to communicate with Eywa, seeking guidance, performing healing rites, and expressing gratitude for the balance of life. Additionally, the tree serves as an ancestral link; by connecting their neural queues to its bioluminescent tendrils, the Na’vi access the voices and memories of their ancestors, reinforcing communal bonds and cultural continuity.
Cultural and Environmental Symbolism
The Tree of Souls epitomizes the deep interconnection between the Na’vi and Pandora’s ecosystem. It underscores the theme of harmony with nature, illustrating how all life forms are intertwined within a vast, sentient network. This concept mirrors real-world ecological principles, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and humanity’s responsibility within the broader tapestry of life.
Conclusion
Nature, plants, and trees have been an integral part of cultural representation since antiquity. These artistic expressions hold timeless wisdom and value, emphasizing the crucial role of trees in both human and non-human life. They serve as a means to express and spread ideas on an intuitive level, highlighting the interconnectedness of culture, life, and all existence.
