Tree Worship - Sacred Trees

Sacred Trees

Trees were often regarded as sacred in the ancient world, throughout Europe and Asia. Christianity and Islam treated the worship of trees as idolatry and this led to their destruction in Europe and most of West Asia. In the manuscript illumination (illustration) Saint Stephan of Perm cuts down a birch sacred to the Komi people as part of his proselytizing among them in the years after 1383. His profanation of their shrines and cult images incurred their hostility.

Sacred trees remain common in India. They are found in villages, in the countryside and the heart of some temples (e.g. Jain temples). Plants is the only medium which connects the living and nonliving things in the environment. Every religion accepts the importance of trees. Hence worship of trees was in existence from the ancient times. Eco Worship is the Worship of Environment through plants. Shripad Vaidya of Nagpur, Maharashtra was founded Eco-Worship Center (NAKSHATRAVAN). It is the First in the world and is known for Worship of Environment through plants. The Indian 'shastras' and 'panchang', too mention several ways of doing so, one of them being offering prayers to various trees.

In Sri Lanka, Buddhists worship the Bodhi Tree. It is said to have protected the Buddha when he was meditating to attain enlightenment.

The Glastonbury Thorn in Glastonbury, England is a small Common Hawthorn tree regarded as sacred by many Christians. It is said to have sprouted miraculously from the staff of the early Christian figure Joseph of Arimathea. Of further religious significance and indeed scientific interest, the tree displays a rare phenomenon for its species, blooming not once but twice per year. The second bloom occurs around the holiday of Christmas.