Tree of Life in Perso-European Culture

Lesson Objective: Students will investigate the relationship between art and literature and examine cross-cultural world literature on a specific subject

Homira Pashai 4-5-2020

Studies on Persianate Manuscripts, Arts, and Literature

Source: Ars Islamica, Vol. 4 (1937), pp. 369-419

“Sidra or Sidrat al munteha” is the name given in Islamic art and literature to the tree that grows amid Paradise. The tree also called “Tuba,” had been noted in the Koran, Quran. Sidra’s roots are spread in the underground domain with branches up to the abode of the guardian angels and the throne of God. “The Sidra of the utmost bounds” can be identified on the earth with the Sidra tree, a wild plum tree called Ziziphus jujube. The Koranic accounts on this tree offer a fertile field for the painters depicting the Sidra, the Garden of Eden’s tree, or the tree of life.

Tracing the tree of life depictions by various artists shows that Babylonians, Zoroastrians, ancient Germans, Slavs, Celts, and many other folks around the globe believed in the same kind of fables about the tree of life. For example, Persian mythology elaborates on “Mashya and Mashyana,” the first man and woman whose origin is from the seeds of the plant Rheum. Likewise, in Norse mythology, “Askr and Embla,” the first man and woman, are created from the ash and the elm trees. The old Romans planted trees for newborn children as patron saints.

The tree of life concept also appeared in Christian writings by writers like Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Lombard, Thomas Aquinas, Rupert of Deutz, Bonaventure, Luther, and Calvin. The concept of water of life was also connected to the fables of the tree of life since many believed that the roots of this tree were saturated with the water of life. Additionally, in the book of Henoch, chapters 24-25, as part of the Old Testament Apocrypha, at the south of the world exist seven layers built with precious stones, and on the central layer stands the tree of life.

A Hittite cuneiform document from the thirteenth century B.C. indicates that a tree was brought to temples as part of the ceremony of honoring life during a specific time of the year. The source described a festivity celebrated for six days praising the god “Telebinus” at the Yule time, December 25. Since Telebinus, the husband of the goddess Arinna, disappeared from the world, cultural life started to dissipate. Thus, all the other gods searched for Telebinus, and they found him. As the cuneiform noted, “Telebinus loads the kind with presents, before him stands a tree, but on the tree hangs a sack … therein are barley, ears of corn and also grapes, therein lies the wholesome message of wisdom, therein lies a courageous happy nature.”

Indeed, the tree is the prototype of the Christmas tree, and the sack of gifts is what is carried today by Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. Today, trees symbolize strength, humility, innocence, rebirth, and longevity in many cultures. Thus, it is represented heavily in the world’s art, culture, and literature. Among depictions of trees in various cultures, one can also recall splendid drawings of genealogies and marriage ketubah trees.

Please find out the Norse legend of the world tree (Yggdrasil) and compare it with what you read above in one to two paragraphs.

Create your family tree using painting, calligraphy, clip art, charts, and map organizers.

Terms:

Sura LIII:16

Book of Genesis, Garden of Eden

Apocrypha

Hittite

Cuneiform

Genealogy

Marriage ketubah

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