Meaning of Forests: Nature scenes including pictures of trees and forests contain multiple mythic and symbolic qualities. The deep-rooted meaning of trees is apparent in common metaphors such as the Tree of Life and our ancestral heritage depicted in family trees. In Vedic philosophy, wood is viewed as the primal material of the universe. Christians see Christ as the cosmic carpenter and His ultimate sacrifice is represented by a wooden cross. See full article below.

Picture of Trees Meaning

By Kathleen Karlsen

Nature scenes including pictures of trees and forests contain multiple mythic and symbolic qualities. The deep-rooted meaning of trees is apparent in common metaphors such as the Tree of Life and our ancestral heritage depicted in family trees. In Vedic philosophy, wood is viewed as the primal material of the universe. Christians see Christ as the cosmic carpenter and His ultimate sacrifice is represented by a wooden cross.

Specific pictures of trees also have their own meanings. The oak is the mightiest of trees and symbolizes strength and courage. The ancient Romans thought oak trees attracted lightening and connected the oak tree to the sky god, Jupiter and his wife, Juno, the goddess of marriage. Thus, the oak is used in art symbolism as a symbol of conjugal fidelity and fulfillment. The oak tree was regarded by Socrates as an oracle tree. The Druids likewise ate acorns in preparation for prophesying. In addition, the Druids believed the leaves of the oak tree had the power to heal and renew strength.

A picture of an apple tree is symbolic of magic, youth, beauty and happiness. A picture of a cedar tree represents healing, cleansing and protection. Pictures of palm trees are symbolic of peace and opportunity. The symbolism associated with many other pictures of trees is summarized below:

Picture of apple trees- magic, youth, beauty, happiness

Picture of ash trees- sacrifice, sensitivity and higher awareness

Picture of aspen trees- determination, overcoming fears and doubts

Picture of beech trees- tolerance, past knowledge, softens over criticism

Picture of birch trees- new beginnings, cleansing of past, vision quests

Picture of cedar trees- healing, cleansing, protection

Picture of cherry trees- death and rebirth, new awakenings

Picture of cypress trees- understanding the role of sacrifice

Picture of elder trees- birth and death, fairy realm

Picture of elm trees- strength of will, intuition

Picture of hazel trees- hidden wisdom, dousing, divination

Picture of heather trees- healing from within, immortality, initiation

Picture of holly trees- protection, overcoming of anger, spiritual warrior

Picture of maple trees-balance, promise, practicality

Picture of palm trees- peace and opportunity

Picture of pine trees- creativity, life, longevity, immortality

Picture of willow trees- magic, healing, inner vision, dreams

Choose a picture of trees based on its symbolism to decorate your home or office. This will serve as an effective visual reminder of your goals and help you to fulfill your dreams and visions for your life.

Trees in Art
By Kathleen Karlsen

The mystery and magic of trees has made them a central element in art in virtually every culture on earth. An complex mix of tree mythology goes all the way back to ancient civilizations. Several trees appear in the art of ancient Egypt. The sycamore is the tree that appears to have been used as the basis for the hieroglyph for "tree".The following information about the sycamore can be found in an article on Trees and the Sacred at http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/trees.html :

According to the Book of Dead,twin sycamores stood at the eastern gate of heaven from which the sun god Re emerged each morning. The sycamore was also regarded as a manifestation of the goddesses Nut, Isis, and especially of Hathor, who was given the epithet Lady of the Sycamore. Sycamores were often planted near tombs, and burial in coffins made of sycamore wood returned the dead person to the womb of the mother tree goddess.

... Another tree, the willow (tcheret) was sacred to Osiris; it was the willow which sheltered his body after he was killed. Many towns in Egypt with tombs in which a part of the dismembered Osiris was believed to be buried had groves of willows associated with them.

In Mesopotamia, fruit trees had special significance. In Medieval times, Christian iconography expaned the symbolic meaning of trees even further. Trees in art for Christians had multiple layers of meaning, all references to the virtues of a Christian life or to Christ himself. The following infomration on trees in Christian art is excerpted and adapted from the Meaning of Trees in Christian Art at http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-art/meaning-of-trees-in-christian-art.htm.

Acacia Trees in Art- Acacia symbolizes the the Virgin's purity

Almond Trees in Art- Almond symbolizes divine approval

Cedar of Lebanon Trees in Art- The cedar symbolizes Christ

Chestnut Trees in Art- Chestnut symbolizes chastity

Cypress Trees in Art- The cypress symbolizes death

Fir Trees in Art- The Fir tree symbolizes patience

Laurel Trees in Art- The laurel Symbolizes victory or triumph and can also symbolize eternity.

Lemon Trees in Art- Symbolizes fidelity in love

Olive Trees in Art- The olive symbolizes peace

Orange Trees in Art- Orange blossoms symbolizes purity, chastity and generosity

Palm Trees in Art- Palms symbolizes victory

Elm Trees in Art- The elm symbolizes dignity and faithfulness

Willow Trees in Art- The willow symbolizes the Gospel

The legends of the tree of life and of trees actually coming to life can be found in ancinet lore and in more modern literature such as J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. The tree of life is depicted in many mystical religions and symbolizes love, wisdom, rebirth, strength and bounty. In an article called The Druids of Turle Island ( http://www.squidoo.com/tree-of-life), the significance of the tree as aconnection between Mother Earth and Father Sky established the tree as the bridge from the physical to the spiritual:

The Tree of Life is a Universal symbol found in many spiritual traditions around the world. It symbolizes life itself, with it's branchesreaching for the Heavens "Father Sky" and it's buried roots, linking to "Mother Earth". Many ancient mythical stories come from the idea that all living beings are born from the earth; the source of life and sustenance for all. Legends say that The Sacred Dove sits in the branches of the Tree of Life and appears with the fruit of the tree and the waters of life. The tree has become a symbol of love, wisdom, rebirth, strength, redemption, friendship, bounty and encouragement.

Undoubtedly trees in art will continue to feature prominently in art, literature and religion for millenia to come.

Celtic Tree of Life Symbol

By Tim Lazaro

Trees for the ancient Celts, especially those tracing back to the Druids were not inanimate objects. They were instead living beings attributed with many powers. Apart from that they provided shelter, food and warmth and were integral to life.

Celtic beliefs
The Celtic symbol tree of life has been carried down over the centuries and is today portrayed in several ways each one depicting and image similar to that of a tree.

The tree of life symbol shows a tree with roots and branches that are interwoven with each other. The roots which were considered the foundation symbolized the Otherworld. The trunk of the tree which joined both roots and branches they attributed to the mortal world and the branches signified their connection to the universe of mighty entities. In simpler terms the roots and branches were believed to connect to the worlds above and below while the trunk remained in the present world and acted as a connection for the Celts to both these worlds

Celtic tree of life meaning
It is a symbol that has become very popular today because it depicts nature and the worship of nature. In Gaelic it is called "crann bethadh". The tree symbolizes life force, something that has the ability to support the life of another or others. Trees provide food, fuel and shelter. They house and sustain other life forces such as animals or insects and have for many years held great purpose for human beings. In ancient times the Celts only inhabited areas that were covered with trees.

The tree of life symbolized rebirth too. As trees went through seasonal changes the Celts tracked and acknowledged these changes. They attributed these changes to spiritual meanings and held them in much esteem. As these trees underwent what they considered birth, death and rebirth the Celts participated in rituals to mark these changes. .

In totality the Celtic tree of life symbolizes strength, longevity and wisdom. It depicted the connections between earth, the spirit world and the universe. The tree of life also symbolized the endurance of time.

Each tree for the Druids held different and special meaning. While some were believed to carry messages to the Otherworld where spirits lived, others could bestow blessings such as prosperity or love. It was believed that if one fell asleep next to a tree they had the ability to wake up in the fairly world.

The Celts being a nomadic tribe always left a large tree in the center of the clearing. This tree took the form of a sacred tree thereafter. The reason they did this was that they believed it embodied both their security and integrity. At the site of this tree the chieftain would perform ceremonies in the hope of connecting to the heaven above and the world below.

So powerful and sacred were trees that the Celts believed they would gain power over their enemies by simply cutting down their sacred tree.

The tree of life has long been associated with many cultures other than the Celts as they have long been recognized as being able to sustain and protect life.

About the Author: Tim Lazaro is a Celtic Symbols enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on theCeltic Tree of Life Symbol visit http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Lazaro