The world tree is a motif present in several religions and mythologies, particularly Indo-European religions, Siberian religions, and Native American religions. The world tree is represented as a colossal tree which supports the heavens, thereby connecting the heavens, the world, and, through its roots, the underworld. It may also be strongly connected to the motif of the tree of life.
Specific world trees include világfa in Hungarian mythology, Ağaç Ana in Turkic mythology, Modun in Mongolian mythology, Yggdrasil (or Irminsul) in Germanic (including Norse) mythology, the Oak in Slavic and Finnish mythology, and in Hindu mythology the Ashvattha (a Sacred Fig).
Read more about World Tree: Jewish Mythology, Norse Mythology, Siberian Culture, Mesoamerican Culture and Indigenous Cultures of The Americas, Other Cultures, Evolutionary Origins
Famous quotes containing the words world and/or tree:
“All is changed. All looks strange to me and gives me a feeling which I would rather get away from, although I know it to be the carrying out of natural laws. And I am not complaining. I am doing the same as many old people have done, I suppose, who have led an active life and suddenly find themselves living without a purpose. Oh, my heart is so full. I could write a big book on the subject of going out of this world gracefully.”
—Maria D. Brown (1827–1927)
“a big picture of K. Marx with an axe,
“Where I cut off one it will never grow again.”
O Karl would it were true
I’d put my saw to work for you
& the wicked social tree would fall right down.”
—Gary Snyder (b. 1930)