Tree of Life Tattoo – Bohdi Tree

Thinking about getting a Tree of Life tattoo?

Though many variations exist, many Tree of Life tattoo designs are in the shape of a circle or oval. The trunk of the tree is in the center of the design, while the branches bow downward and the roots curl upward to form the overall shape. Because there are so many Tree of Life images and stories worldwide, there really is no wrong way to do a Tree of Life design. Branches, trunk, roots. Everything else is up to the artist.

In general, the Tree of Life symbolizes the connection between the heavens and the earth. This is not surprising, since trees in general die off in the winter and flower in the spring. Plus, many have seeds which lead to new growth. This makes trees the ideal symbol for religious imagery, including birth, rebirth, death, and resurrection. The tree appears in most Near East creation stories. In many stories, the earth is viewed as flat, and the heavens are supported by the branches of a cosmic tree. To Babylonians, the tree was found in the Garden of Paradise, while to the Zoroastrians, the tree was said to be the home of the mythical Phoenix.

Just what kind of a tree is the Tree of Life? Well, that depends on who you ask. For much of the Classical world, it is an oak tree, though ancient Egyptians claimed it was a sycamore or a form of date palm. It is also a palm tree in Assyrian stories, but a cedar in the legends of Native American Indians. In Norse mythology, the tree – known as Yggdrasil – is an ash. The tree has also been associated with olives, figs, and grapes.

Perhaps the most popular variation of the Tree of Life story is the story of the Bodhi tree. This is the Tree of Enlightenment under which the Buddha sat for seven weeks before he reached transcendence. Early art did not depict the Buddha in human form (certainly not the round-stomached version we often see today). Rather, he was depicted as a Bodhi. Also called the pipal or bo tree, it is one of the world’s oldest species. One is said to grow still in Sri Lanka (formlerly Ceylon), presumably planted in 288 B.C. Other variations connected to major religions exist, but disagreements occur regarding the correct interpretations. In Judeo Christian writings, a tree of life was found in the center of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). Some believe it bestowed immortality, but how connected that tree is to other tree of life legends is debatable. Keep in mind this would be a different tree than the one from which Adam and Eve ate; that was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Don’t mix those up in your tattoo art!

Others claim it is the tree of life depicted in the Jewish symbol of Kabbalah, meaning “ancient lore” or “received wisdom.” The diagram, which any English teacher would tell you looks like a “tree diagram,” shows the interconnections between the ten Sephiroth, or emanations, of God, e.g. strength, love. Some argue that the Tree of Life mythology gave rise to the image and lessons of the kabbalistic tree; others say that people accidentally equate it with the tree simply because of the shape of the diagram. As for tattoo art, we suggest that, if you want to represent the Kabbalah specifically, use the Judaic diagram, and not just any old tree. If you want to represent a tree of life in general to show the connections between heaven and earth, then you can be more flexible and creative in your choices when designing your tree of life tattoo.

For more information on Tree of Life tattoos, see the resources listed on our Reference Page.

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