In Celtic myth, trees played a central role in daily life. The Celts believed the Irish wooded landscape was full of spirits. They also associated the spirit or heart of the great oak with fertility and centered with wisdom. Often Celtic clans gathered socially underneath the mighty oak to discussing clan issues like a meeting of public officials today. Like Native Americans the Celts revered nature and the cycle of life. They valued their relationship to the earth and gathered within nature in honor of it instead of building great temples of stone. The Celts love of nature and its bond to the earth lead to their many beliefs revolving around trees.
What does the Celtic Tree of Life Symbolize?
The commemorated oak tree also called the Celtic Tree of Life has been an ancient symbol of life, fertility and wisdom revered by many cultures like the Greeks, and Romans in addition to the Celts since ancient times. There are many symbols of the oak tree with spiritual meaning.
Tree of Life in Gaelic
The Celtic tree of life in Gaelic is called “Crann Bethadh”. The Tree of Life is a complex element of Irish culture and customs. The Celtic Tree of Life is amongst one of the most admired and recognizable Celtic symbols. The tree of life symbolically important in both history and religion. It symbolizes faith, the strength of coherence and stability.
The Meaning of the Celtic Tree of Life
The Celtic Tree of Life meaning varies. Rebirth is one of the most popular meanings for the Tree of Life. The belief stems from theory that trees experiences renewal throughout the changing of the seasons. Its leaves fall in autumn and regrow in spring is symbolic of rebirth. Another meaning of the Celtic Tree of Life is that it is also a symbol of wisdom and strength. The most sacred of trees was the oak, called ‘daur’ in Celtic. It is where the modern word ‘door’ is derived. So, the oak tree, literally would have been the door to the other world.
The Celtic Tree of Life has been an inspiration to various artists for centuries. Remember that great scene in Game of Thrones. The one where Bran, Hodor and Elllie are in the cave root system of the weirwood tree when Bran was becoming the Three-Eyed Raven? I believe it was kind of symbolic of the tree of life, the all-knowing tree. Remember then while they were escaping the cave root system, Ellie shouted to Hodor to “hold the door to give them a chance to escape. The words flashed back to the past, causing Wylis to fall to the ground seizing while yelling “hold the door!” repeatable, until brain damage set in and the phrased “Hold Door” slurred into one: “Hodor.” Are you seeing the connection?
Knowledge of the fundamental meaning of the Tree of Life symbol gives an insight to ancient Celtic. Celtic Tree of Life Knot has roots and branches woven into a Celtic knot together without end, illustrating the uninterrupted cycle of life on earth. The Celtic Tree of Life knot is a popular design for tapestries, throws, Celtic jewelry and tree of life tattoos because of its positive energy.