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Monday, February 28, 2011

Tree of Life

* Tree of Life *



The 'Tree of Life' is a long standing symbol in many cultures and religions.

See the latest additions to TTD's Tree of Life collection!According to many sources, the tree of knowledge, connecting heaven and the underworld, and the tree of life, connecting all forms of creation, are both forms of the world tree or cosmic tree. According to some scholars, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, portrayed in various religions and philosophies, are the same tree.


Planted in the midst of the Garden of Eden, it is said that the Tree of Life produced streams of honey, milk, oil and wine. The leaves offered shade for all f Paradise and bore fruit of more than 15,000 varieties. The tree was granted to Adam after his fall from immortality.


In the Old Testament, the Tree of Life is said to be “a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her”, and in Ecclus, Wisdom describes herself with imagery drawn from the Tree of Life legend saying she will “take root in an honorable people.”


If you would like to learn more about the Tree of Life, you can refer to David Jeffrey’s “A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature.” Prof. Jeffrey taught me during my first degree at the University of Ottawa. He was one of the most knowledgeable professors I’ve ever had – and one of the toughest!







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