Elämänpuu

Elämänpuu is a concept found in various mythologies and spiritual traditions, often representing a cosmic tree that connects heaven, earth, and the underworld. Its imagery can vary significantly across cultures, but the core idea of a central, life-sustaining entity remains consistent. In some traditions, the elämänpuu is depicted as a source of universal life, wisdom, or immortality. Its branches might reach into the celestial realms, its trunk stand firm on earth, and its roots delve into the depths of the unknown. It is often seen as a symbol of creation, fertility, and the cyclical nature of existence, birth, death, and rebirth. The elämänpuu can also be associated with the axis mundi, the world axis, which serves as a spiritual and physical center of the world. In certain interpretations, it represents the interconnectedness of all living things and the flow of energy and knowledge throughout the universe. The concept appears in ancient Mesopotamian art, Norse mythology as Yggdrasil, and various indigenous cultures worldwide.