The Tree of Life. . .a circle with a many-branched tree inside with its roots reaching and wrapping around the base. . .a symbol universally illustrating all life on earth is related. . .used in science, religion, philosophy, mythology and elsewhere. . .sometimes depicted in abstract form. . .sometimes in wood, metal, wire, glass and  jewelry.  I love this symbol and have worn it for years in a sterling silver pendant I received as a gift. 

While searching for new wire jewelry designs and techniques, I found the Tree of Life Pendant design and tutorial created by Albina Manning and presented by JewelryLessons.com.  The tutorial says, “The Tree of Life is an esoteric philosophy common to many cultures and mythologies, and the Ancients envisioned the entire cosmos in the form of a tree whose roots grow deep in the ground, branches reaching high into the heavens.”  OK, this was kismet and I was meant to find and create my own version of the  Tree of Life Pendant.  After purchasing the tutorial and trying the basic design, I started adding my own ideas and style touches to the pendant and my version of the Tree of Life Pendant was born.

I decided that if I was going to create and make the pendant, I should do a little research into the history and meaning of the symbol myself so I could give the information to those who share my love for this symbol.  

Here is a definition for the Tree of life – From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The concept of a many-branched tree illustrating the idea that all life on earth is related has been used in science, religion, philosophy, mythology and other areas. A tree of life is variously, a) a mystical concept alluding to the interconnectedness of all life on our planet, b) a metaphor for common descent in the evolutionary sense, and c) a motif in various world theologies, mythologies and philosophies.

Conceptual and mythological “trees of life”
Various trees of life are recounted in folklore, culture and fiction, often relating to immortality or fertility. They had their origin in religious symbolism.

 Ancient Egypt
In Egyptian mythology, in the Ennead system of Heliopolis, the first couple, apart from Shu & Tefnut (moisture & dryness) and Geb & Nuit (earth & sky), are Isis & Osiris. They were said to have emerged from the acacia tree of Saosis, which the Egyptians considered the tree of life, referring to it as the “tree in which life and death are enclosed”.

Germanic paganism
The tree of life appears in Norse religion as Yggdrasil, the world tree, a massive tree (sometimes considered a yew or ash tree) with extensive lore surrounding it. In Norse Mythology it is the apples from Iðunn’s ash box that provides immortality for the gods.

Hebrew Bible/Christianity
The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Judeo-Christian) is mentioned in the Book of Genesis (for example Genesis 3:22), * A Tree of Life, in the form of ten interconnected nodes, is an important part of the Kabbalah. As such, it resembles the ten Sephirot.

Etz Chaim, Hebrew for “Tree of Life”, is a common term used in Judaism. The expression, found in the Book of Proverbs, is figuratively applied to the Torah itself. Etz Chaim is also a common name for yeshivas and synagogues as well as for works of Rabbinic literature.

India
Flora in general play a central role in the Indian culture, which has largely a vegetarian tradition. The symbolism of the tree is mentioned in the 135th hymn of the 10th book of Rig-Veda, and in the 15th chapter of Bhagavad-gita (1–4).  Two varieties of the fig (called Ashvatta in Sanskrit), the banyan tree and the peepal tree are the most revered in the Indian tradition, and both are considered the trees of life. 

The Book of Mormon
The Tree of Life is shown to Lehi and then also to his son Nephi in a dream or vision, between 600 and 592 B.C. according to the Book of Mormon. Lehi recounted the tree as “a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” (1 Nephi 8:10)

Urartu
In Urartu around 13th to 6th century BC, the Tree of Life was a religious symbol, drawn onto the exterior walls of fortresses and carved on the armour of warriors. The branches of the tree were equally divided on the right and left sides of the stem, with each branch having one leaf, and one leaf on the apex of the tree.  This tree can be found on numerous Urartu artifacts, such as paintings on the walls of the Erebuni Fortress in Yerevan, Armenia. 
 
Other cultures
In the Japanese religion of Shinto, trees were marked with sacred paper symbolizing lightning bolts, as trees were thought to be sacred. This was propagated by the fact that after they passed, ancestors and animals were often portrayed as branches on the tree.
The Book of One Thousand and One Nights has a story, ‘The Tale of Buluqiya’, in which the hero searches for immortality and finds a paradise with jewel-encrusted trees.

This is only a small sampling of the many references to the Tree of Life symbol I found.   You may want to research the idea behind this symbol further on your own. 

Here are photos of my Tree of Life Pendant Necklaces:

 Tree of Life Pendant – Peridot Chips handcrafted with silver Artisan non-tarnish wire.

Tree of Life Pendant – Fancy Jasper Chips handcrafted with silver craft wire and strung on waxed cotton cord.

Tree of Life Pendant – Green Aventurine chips handcrafted with gold Artisan non-tarnish wire and strung on gold plated 18″ chain.

Tree of Life Family Tree Pendant – Swarovski crystals in birthstone colors created in silver Artisan non-tarnish wire with woven bale.  I have this pendant available to custom order your own family tree.

You can see more photos and details for these pendants on my websites, KC Bead Designs and Reflections…Beaded Jewelry.

’till next time!

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KC Bead Designs – Beaded Jewelry by Cheryl Skeens, located in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area, is owned and operated by Cheryl Skeens. In business since 2003 as a jewelry artist / designer of handcrafted beaded jewelry such as beaded earrings, bracelets, necklaces, eyeglass chains, beaded lanyards, zipper pulls, cell phone charms, mother’s bracelets, bridal and prom jewelry and more. Reflections. . .Beaded Jewelry. . .by Cheryl Skeens opened in July 2008 along with her new blog-site and is her second online store.