Tree of life

The tree of life is a common symbol in the history of religion and myths motif, which forms on mythological and religious interpretations of tree worship of sacred trees and fertility symbolism, creation myth and genealogy.

Symbolism

• As a universal mythological symbol of the world axis ( axis mundi ): World Tree
• As biblical motif
• A diagram with mystical significance in Kabbalah
• Yggdrasil in Norse mythology
• Bajterek in the mythology of the Turkic peoples

From the tree of life but is also spoken in other contexts:

• In fairy tales as a tree with golden apples, which partially explicitly the tree of life is also talk: Tales Grimm # 17 The White Snake, No. 21 Cinderella, No. 24 Mother Holle, No. 29 The devil with the three golden hairs No. 31 the girl without hands, No. 47 from the almond tree, # 53 Snow White, No. 57 the Golden Bird, No. 88 the Singing springing lark, No. 96 De three Vügelkens, # 121 the King's son, who at nothing feared, No. 130 One-Eye, Two-Eyes and Three-Eyes; Note to KHM 82, 125

Ornamentation and iconography

The Tree of Life is a form of ornament. The representation of the tree of life has changed over time significantly.

Was originally even the whole tree shown, it was in the meantime only the branches, later only stems or bouquets that stood out most from a vase. Often these decorative elements along with Adam and Eve, with pairs of animals or from a heart out are shown growing.

In South Tyrol there is a related tradition: when one has arrived at the construction of a house on the roof, is on the gable of a small, decorated with ribbons conifer which placed " Firschttschuggn ". Presumably, the topping is connected with it. Here, a directional tree is set to the finished timbered roof.