Leaves as Religious Ecological Symbols

At the first Faith Pavilion at COP28 held in Dubai, UAE, the organizers sought an inclusive way to symbolize the faith and indigenous traditions represented in the pavilion. 

The concept of trees plays a significant role in all the traditions. Trees are often present in sacred text or stories as a  ‘tree of life’ associated with birth, the source of spirituality, redemption or rebirth. (https://www.ecomatcher.com/)

Like faith and indigenous traditions, trees, when planted and nurtured in their natural habitat,  play a unique role in sustaining the environment and planetary life. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and return to it oxygen, assist with conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting both human and wildlife. 

In the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet and founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and in the explanations of his son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, there are many hundreds of references to trees, mostly in a symbolic or metaphorical context. The founder of the Sikh religion, the great Baba Guru Nanak has described the tree as a savior of creation with the words, “O God, you are an infinite tree and I am a bird under thine protection.” (https://www.tribuneindia.com) The great Gurus and prophets used to preach while traveling to remote corners of the country and used to camp under groves of trees for shelter. These have become sacred and shrines have been created at these important sites.  

In faith traditions, trees are not merely symbolic, but many practices and prohibitions are associated with them. 

In Islam tree-planting is seen as a form of charity because the tree produces products enjoyed by both people and animals. A saying of Prophet Mohammed that reportedly dates back 14 centuries states that, “If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” (https://aboutislam.net/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/10-green-hadiths/)

Both Buddhism and Hinduism understand trees to be givers of knowledge and enlightenment. Trees are so revered in Hinduism for the nourishment and protection they give to living beings, that the sacred text, the Rig Veda, prohibits one from cutting them down. (https://www.ecomatcher.com/)

Thus, there is no better symbol to express the critical work of the faith and indigenous communities in climate change, than that of trees that are associated with their traditions.

Pomegranate tree in Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Sikhism and Islam

The symbolism of the pomegranate, especially its abundance of seeds, is found in faith traditions across the world. 

In Zoroastrianism the pomegranate is symbolic of the soul’s immortality and perfection. The fruit is used in many of the rituals and ceremonies of Zoroastrianism. Due to the abundance of seeds in the fruit, pomegranates are used in marriage ceremonies amongst others. 

Interestingly, in some of the Abrahamic traditions, the pomegranate tree that was the ‘Forbidden Fruit’ in the Garden of Eden that made Adam and Eve fall from innocence.

In Judaism the Hebrew Bible frequently refers to pomegranates in reference to fruitfulness, blessing, and prosperity (Numbers 13:23; Deuteronomy 8:8). 

The Armenian Christian association with the pomegranate is equally strong. Considered the national symbol of Armenia, the Armenian community of the Holy Land is no exception when it comes to cultural connections to the fruit, which is also identified as the symbol of marriage and fertility.

Across the Christian world, the pomegranate is associated with the passion of Christ. The act of opening up the rough peel and harvesting the sweet seeds has been referred to as a metaphor of the Passion of Christ, wherein the act of suffering reveals an abundant treasure from within.  

For Muslims, the Koran describes the heavenly paradise as having four gardens with shade, springs, and fruits – including the pomegranate. Legend holds that each pomegranate contains one seed that has come down from paradise. Pomegranates have also had a special role as a fertility symbol in weddings among the Bedouins of the Middle East.

In Sikhism, the pomegranate tree and its fruits are symbolic of spiritual transformation and inner growth. In different contexts in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib,  it is often associated with plenitude and prosperity with the numerous seeds being metaphors for fertility and wealth.

Sources:

https://www.gotquestions.org/pomegranates-in-the-Bible.html
https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/bursting-with-fruitfulness/
https://bethlehemhandicrafts.com/blogs/news/96-pomegranates-religious-and-cultural-significance-in-the-holy-land-and-more
https://kashifsofa.com/journal/the-pomegranate-as-a-symbol/
https://thursd.com/articles/flowers-of-the-guru-granth-sahib.

The Oak tree in Judaism & Christianity

The oak is indigenous to the land of Israel. In Hebrew the name for oak is אַלּוֹן (alon), meaning strong. It is able to endure the challenging weather conditions of the land. The oak has deep roots which become a symbol of both God and the people’s loyalty and endurance. 

Significantly in Genesis 15, God enters into the covenant with Abraham at Mamre, the place where Abraham had pitched his tent beneath an oak tree (Gen 13:18). This site, believed to be associated with Hebron today, is a place of pilgrimage for both Jews and Christians. 

The oak is also able to regenerate. When cut down to a stump, new shoots soon sprout from it. The prophet Isaiah uses the oak to refer to the people of Israel who will be exiled by God, but then return and ‘sprout’ again to flourish in the land. Moreover, it is understood as a reference to the Messiah by both Jews and Christians.

Sources:

https://www.truthunity.net/mbd/oak-tree
https://www.holylandsite.com/
https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/363-abraham-s-oak

The Atlantic Pistachio tree in Islam

Pistachio is frequently associated with the ability to both give and receive. Ideally, giving and receiving should be in harmony and balance.  

In Islam, this tree is also known as the famous Sahabi Tree, Tree of Al Buqayawiyya ( شجرالمبارکہ)  meaning the Blessed tree. It is a 1500-year-old tree located in Safawi, Jordan. It is located on the old trade route between Mecca and Damascus. Caravans used to travel by this route. It is believed that one such caravan was going to Syria from Mecca, when Muhammad sat down under its shadow at the age of 12. He was accompanying his uncle Abu Talib. Under this tree, the monk Bahira foretold about the prophethood of Muhammad.

The nut is gifted over Chinese New Year to symbolize prosperity and during the Diwali festival of light in Hinduism they are eaten to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahabi_Tree 
https://treespiritwisdom.com/

The Ginkgo tree in Buddhism and China

The ability of this tree to survive both human and natural disasters makes it a symbol of resilience and strength. Some Ginkgo trees survive for thousands of years.

In Buddhism, Ginkgo leaves are often used as offerings on altars, representing hope and the power to overcome obstacles. As a symbol of permanence and perseverance, Ginkgo trees hold a significant spiritual meaning for those who connect with their timeless beauty and unique characteristics.

In Chinese culture, Ginkgo leaves are also believed to have spiritual cleansing properties and can be used in feng shui practices to clear negative energy and purify the home.

Sources:  

https://libraryexhibits.uvm.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/uvmtrees/ginkgo/introtoartlit
https://www.groovingtrees.com/ginkgo-tree-symbolism

The Baobab tree in African Indigenous traditions

Frequently referred to as the African ‘Tree of Life.’ It has become a symbol of resilience and endurance in both African art and folklore due to its ability to adapt to its environment.      

The peoples of Senegal use the water stored in the giant trunk of the tree and use the medicinal properties of its  fruit for healing. In Madagascar, spirits are said to live in the mighty trunk of the Baobab trees and their voices of wisdom echo through the branches. As a result many communal gatherings are centered around the trees in an attempt to harness their unique powers. The trunks of the Baobab are used in Tanzania for shelter  for the living and the final resting places of the dead. 

Source:

https://taliaandnasya.com/blogs/roots-rhythms-exploring-african-heritage/the-significance-and-value-of-the-baobab-tree-in-african-culture-exploring-its-importance-across-the-continent

The Cedar tree in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Cedars are named for their location in the mountains of Lebanon. The wealthy often used them in construction due to their beautiful red color, sweet aroma, and strength, which is why cedar trees are usually associated with prestige and power and endurance. For example, King Hiram of Tyre used cedar trees as the primary material in the construction of both King David’s and Solomon’s palaces (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:6–18; 7:1–7; Ezra 3:7).        

In Christianity,  2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches that while a cedar tree has great strength, God’s strength is greater, ensuring Christians can experience His strength even in the midst of human weaknesses. 

In Islam, the end of the Koran records that the cedar is the tree that grows under the throne of Allah. It connects the Earth to the seventh heaven.

Source:

https://steppesoffaith-56895.medium.com/the-symbolic-meanings-of-7-trees-in-the-bible-64adcd4b2e5

The Eucalyptus tree indigenous to the First nations of Australia

The eucalyptus is a holy tree for some Indigenous Australians. For them it represents the division of the Underworld, Earth and Heaven.

This is because it is ‘reborn’ from the ashes after a fire. The Indigenous people of Australia make good use of the eucalyptus tree, using its wood to craft bark canoes, bowls, musical instruments and weapons. The bark is used as roofing. 

The leaves from some species are soaked in water to produce a medicinal tea. The leaves are also used as bedding. Some of the other leaves are very sharp and are used for cutting meat.

There are many different plants used in smoking ceremonies and for medicine. The type of leaf used for smoking varies by region and availability, but can include peppermint, cauliflower bush, eucalyptus and sandalwood. Smoking ceremonies are used for burial, celebration, healing and ‘clearance’ (cleansing), and are also a gesture of goodwill, bringing people together. People perform the ceremony for others as a gift and a blessing. The smoking ceremonies enable communities to connect with ‘country’ by speaking to, and acknowledging the ancestors or ‘Old People’.

Sources:

https://wwf.org.au/blogs/treetment-5-culturally-significant-trees-used-in-aboriginal-and-torres/
https://originsfestival.bordercrossings.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-05/Eucalyptus.pdf

The Bodhi tree in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism

Across the religions of the East, this tree is well known for its connection to a human being’s capacity to attain enlightenment.

In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree, also referred to as the Buddha tree, is a central Buddhist symbol. According to Buddhist traditions, the first human being achieved enlightenment, or achieved Buddha nature, under these trees. So important are these trees that they should not be cut down. The Buddha taught,

“A tree is a wonderful living organism which gives shelter, food, warmth and protection to all living things. It even gives shade to those who wield an axe to cut it down.” (https://dharmanet.org/ )

In Hinduism, the Bodhi tree is known as the Banyan tree. One of the physical properties of this tree is that it not only propagates itself through its fig like fruit, but over time sends down aerial roots that become supportive trunks themselves. A Banyan tree can have over a thousand such trucks making it virtually immortal. Thus, it is identified with the Akshaya Vata, the Immortal Banyan, the only individual tree ever designated with a proper noun in Hindu scriptures. Although it is associated with many gods, it is often regarded as a form of the mighty Shiva. In the summer married women wrap the Banyan with string and worship it with food offerings in a ritual called the Vata Savitri Vrat. Through this ceremony they ask for the longevity of their husbands. In this context the tree is identified with the goddess Savitri, the one able to bring the dead back to life.

In Sikhism, the Bodhi tree symbolizes the interconnectedness of all beings and boundless divine wisdom. 

The tree is also understood to symbolize detachment from the physical world and attachment to God. According to tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, meditated under a banyan tree, like the Buddha, and achieved enlightenment. 

Sources:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/buddhist-symbols-meanings.html
https://study.com/learn/lesson/buddha-enlightened-one-origin-history.html
https://cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/SacredTreesofPunjab_3715.aspx
https://www.sikhs.org/guru1.htm 
https://dharmanet.org/