Tree Worship History -An Intro

image credit - beautiful image by Bonnyb Bendix

Veneration of Trees - Dendrolatry

Tree worship or having a strong reverence toward a tree or trees is an ancient notion that crosses most cultures through time. 

We see sacred trees in religion, mythology and folklore and legends.

Tree worship has its first written roots (-made a pun!) that go all the way back to the beginning of civilization in Mesopotamia.

image credit - a Mesopotamian sacred
tree with a god icon above and a
protector on either side

For instance, we see a seemingly sacred tree on ancient Sumerian clay tablets and cylinders from 2,500 B.C.E., a time where we see the first human writings. Therefore, we know for certain tree worship history dates back to the birth of civilization  It surely goes back much further. However, without ancient writing to back up statements, this is where we start, the cradle of civilization as we currently understand it.

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-handmade Yggdrasil Tree of Life
pendant 

Trees most symbolize fertility and immortality. With their losing and regrowing foliage each year, they are also seen as a life, death, resurrection symbol.

People of various ancient cultures believed in a concept of a world tree being at the center of the universe and creation. For example the Germanic Norse World Tree, Yggdrasil, is believed to be one colossal ash tree connecting 9 realms of existence.  The same is nearly true for the early Siberians.  Their world tree also connected their worlds, but vertically.

Along with the Tree of Life, or concept of a One Tree, we have special wishing trees, number one revered trees other than the ash tree and the notion that all trees are sacred. There are also whole sacred groves.  How we see trees is dependent on culture. That is, what we pass down to the next generation.  While there are differences, there remains common threads in tree worship.

Personally and simply put, I think trees make us feel good and connected to our natural, beautiful planet and to what lies above and what lies below.  Having a sacred appreciation and respect for trees is innate and a part of us all. (-and sometimes I think the trees have it all figured out more so than humanity.)

• Please note that this page serves as an introduction to Tree of Life history, as the whole site is about Tree of Life: past, present and future.  

• The best way to learn is to browse around on all the site's links that are of interest to you.

• You may want to familiarize yourself with the Birth of Civilization since the tree of life concept historically starts with the beginning of civilization.  

Other Pages Suggested as Good Starting Points:

Tree of Life Defined - An Intro          Rise of Civilization

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