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:
“He made the world to be a grassy road
Before her wandering feet.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“Like to the tree of Tantalus she fled,
And seeming lavish, sav’de her maydenhead.
Ne’re king more sought to keepe his diademe;
Than Hero this inestimable gemme.”
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593)