The Spiritual Significance of Trees

© Lloyd Madansky Aug 3, 1999

I must first give credit where credit is due. Caryn, my wife, and I had volunteered to host the
19-Day Feast for this Baha'i Month (Kamal, or Perfection). Caryn's idea was to show the
symbolism of trees and fruits as they apply to attributes and virtues. One example is this quote
from Baha'u'llah:

“Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with fruit, he hath been and will ever be worthy of
praise and commendation. Otherwise a fruitless tree is but fit for fire. The fruits of the human
tree are exquisite, highly desired and dearly cherished. Among them are upright character,
virtuous deeds and a goodly utterance.”

It was this that led me to this subject.

While the Baha'i Faith does use trees in its writings, it is not the only religion to do so.

Judiasm

In Genesis two trees are mentioned, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and The
Tree of Life. Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and were
expelled before they were able to eat of the Tree of Life (and thereby live forever). The Tree of
Life is also the name of the Sephiroth. This is a glyph used in the Jewish Mystical Tradition
known as Qabalah or Kabalah.

Proverbs 13:13 - 18 states:

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the
merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared
unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways
are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold
upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

Psalms 1 opens with:

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the
way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers
of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Islam

There are also many references in the Qur'an. One such is from the 14th Surah (Ibrahim):
“Seest thou not how God sets forth a parable? - A goodly word like a goodly tree,
whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So God sets
forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. It brings forth its fruit at all
times, by the leave of its Lord. So God sets forth parables for men, in order that they may
receive admonition. And the parable of an evil Word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the
root from the surface of the earth: it has no stability.”

And from the 24th Surah (An-Nur):

“God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there
were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant
star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-
nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! God doth guide whom He will
to His Light: God doth set forth Parables for men: and God doth know all things.”

Hinduism

I found this in the Bhagavad-Gita:

“Krishna. Men call the Aswattha,- the Banyan-tree,-
Which hath its boughs beneath, its roots above,-
The ever-holy tree. Yea! for its leaves
Are green and waving hymns which whisper Truth!
Who knows the Aswattha, knows Veds, and all.
Its branches shoot to heaven and sink to earth,
Even as the deeds of men, which take their birth.”

Christianity

Jesus used the tree as a symbol. The following is from the Gospel of Luke 3:7-9:

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these
stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

In the Book of James, the following question is asked:

“Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no
fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good
conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

In Conclusion

I have only scratched the surface on this. The tree and its fruit have long been used to show
spiritual truths. It is a powerful symbol. I cannot help but think of the poem Trees by Joyce
Kilmer. It made me stop and think. I hope that this has given you something to think about. If it
has, please let me know.