Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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TREE

A symbol of man, or the human being on all planes, as a replica in small, of the Divine Being in whose image man is made. As God is a Tree of Life, so man is the same.

"By a tree is signified man, and therefore by all things appertaining to a tree, corresponding things in man are signified, as by branches, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. By branches are signified the sensual and natural truths in man; by leaves his rational truths; by flowers, primitive spiritual truths in the rational mind; by fruits, the goods of love and charity; and by seeds, the last and first principles of man." - Swedenborg, Apocalypse Revealed, n. 936.

"The Tree of Life signifies the Lord as to the good of love, . . . because celestial and spiritual life is derived to man from the good of love and charity, which is received from the Lord." — Ibid., n. 89.

“'Both good and wicked men are compared to trees. The godly, says the psalmist, shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season' (Ps. i. 3). His soul shall be plentifully fed from heaven with the never-failing influences of grace and consolation, whereby he shall be made fruitful in every good word and work." -Cruden's Explanations.

 

See Also

ASKR
AXE
IMAGE OF GOD
JESUS, MORTAL
LEAVES
MATRO
MICROCOSM
OAK