The Tree of Life is a powerful symbol that has been adopted by cultures around the world. While each culture has given it a slightly different interpretation, the Tree of Life has become an international symbol of the interconnectedness of our world. In each culture unique Tree of Life jewelry has also developed.
Through the jewelry, individuals are able to connect on a more intimate and emotional level with the Tree of Life and what it symbolizes for them. Many people choose to wear a Tree of Life pendant close to their hearts and regard it as a source of strength and inspiration.
Tree of Life meaning
The Tree of Life has many meanings – religious, spiritual, philosophical and cultural. Here are some of the universal themes it represents.
Interconnectedness: A tree is a symbol of how all forms of life influence each other. While the forest is made up of individual trees, the trees are connected through their branches and roots. Together, they provide the lifeforce for all of the animals and vegetation within the forest.
Recent research has also discovered that trees communicate with each other. Peter Wohlleben, a German forester and author, has spent his life researching trees and has provided evidence that trees “are connected to each other through underground fungal networks. Trees share water and nutrients through the networks, and also use them to communicate. They send distress signals about drought and disease, for example, or insect attacks, and other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages.”
As individuals, it is important to remember that we are all interconnected. We are not alone in the world. We are part of a community. We are surrounded by our family and friends, and we can draw strength from one another. Each one of us can be a sturdy tree that supports the loved ones in their lives.
Rebirth: Many trees are seasonal. In the spring they sprout new leaves and fruits, in the autumn the leaves start to fall, and throughout the winter they are bare.
Sometimes looking at the bare trees can be disheartening, but we are comforted by the knowledge that they are reviving themselves from within, and soon, in just a few months or weeks, new sprouts will appear, and the tree will once again flourish.
This is an important lesson for us all. We all go through seasons – seasons in which we flourish and bear fruits and seasons in which everything seems bare. And when everything looks bare, it is important to focus inwards.
Just like a tree that creates new bark deep within its trunk and branches, we need to start to build something new. Throughout this period it is vital to remember that the winter will pass, spring will arrive, and we will flourish again!
Growth and Strength: All trees start out as small and fragile seedlings. In order to survive they need fertile soil, water and sun. As they grow, they gain strength and their roots deepen. The deeper the roots the more study the tree is and higher it can grow. Upon reaching maturity, large trees are renowned for their strength. They can withstand the toughest of weather conditions and keep standing year in and year out.
Just like trees, we all start our lives as small and helpless infants, and we need warmth and nourishment to grow. Parents need to give their children a rich soil in which they can expand their roots – soil that is nourishing, safe and stable.
The love and warmth parents provide their children defines much of their personality. When children receive the care they need, they grow into strong adults. Adults capable of withstanding the tempests of life.
Through trees, a person can also reflect on their own lives. How strong is my trunk? Am I stable or fragile? Is my soil, i.e. the environment which I live in, nourishing and good for me? Am I making sure I am getting enough ‘sun’? Am I a tree that produces fruits which other’s enjoy?
Contemporary Tree of Life Jewelry
Over the past several years Tree of Life jewelry has undergone a renaissance and jewelry artists from all over the world have created their interpretation of the Tree of Life. Tree of Life necklace collections remain the most popular since they enable the Tree of Life jewelry to be worn close to the heart.
One of the most exciting trends in Tree of Life jewelry is the contemporary designs that are emerging. They are using more minimalistic trees which are often encapsulated in a circle (the circle being another symbol of interconnectedness). For example, Moriah, a leading jewelry design company in Israel, has created an entire line of modern Tree of Life jewelry that uniquely combines Moriah stone with precious gems and gold.
The Tree of Life is a powerful symbol. It is a universal symbol of the interconnectedness of our world, rebirth, growth and strength. Many people choose to wear Tree of Life jewelry not only because of its aesthetic beauty, but because the symbol infuses them with love and hope.
