The stages of lifeĪnother popular Celtic Tree of Life meaning is that it symbolises the three stages of life: birth, death and reincarnation in another life. The Celts saw the Oak as a symbol of strength, due to it’s intricate root system that holds the trees massive weight, wisdom, due to the time it spent on earth and endurance, due to the time and conditions it stands proudly through. The Oak tree can live for over 300 years.ĭuring its life, it weathers storms, gets attacked and damaged by humans and animals and grows up to 40 meters in height. The most accurate Celtic Tree of Life meaning is that it symbolises strength and wisdom. Here are three Celtic Tree of Life meanings to consider: 1. Records from back when these symbols were used in everyday life are scarce, so we rely on calculated guesswork. There are many different interpretations of the Celtic Tree of Life meaning, so please be aware that nothing is definite. The Tree of Life symbol also appears on ancient Egyptian tomb carvings, possibly even predating Celtic culture. However, their sacred tree was not the oak but the ash tree which they called ‘Yggdrasil’. The Norse had a Tree of Life symbol and they possibly brought it to Ireland when they invaded. Like many other Celtic Knot symbols, such as the Motherhood Knot and the Dara Knot, some variations of Tree of Life knot is endless with no beginning or end (see the image below). Some designs, like ours above and below, are more elaborate, while others are minimalist. In some designs, the Tree of Life appears the same if you flip it upside down. The designĪlthough the symbol is found in many forms and variations, they all show a tree with spreading branches above and a network of roots below. They regarded the root system of the tree as a physical doorway, penetrating the earth to the spiritual world beyond. In times of warfare, the Celts believed that if they cut down the tree of their enemies, it would ensure their victory over them. When the Irish Celts formed a new community, they planted a tree right at its center, and it was called the ‘Crann Bethadh’, meaning ‘the Tree of Life’.Īs the hub of the community, the tree’s shady branches were the place where important meetings were held. The Celts saw the towering strength and longevity (oaks can live for over 300 years) of the oak tree as a symbol of nobility and endurance. The Celts believed in nature and the connection between the earth and the life beyond and it’s thought that they believed that trees held the spirits of their ancestors. We’ve touched lightly on the importance of trees in Celtic culture, but this can’t be underemphasised. The Celts lived across Europe and, contrary to popular belief, were not Irish or Scottish – in fact, the exact origin of these ancient people is unknown. The Celtic Tree of Life symbol is one of the many designs to come from an ancient group of tribes known as the Celts.
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