The concept of the "Tree of Life" is a fundamental archetype in many of the world's mythological, religious, and philosophical traditions. Various trees of life are recounted in folklore, culture, and fiction, often relating to immortality or fertility, having their origin in religious symbolism.
In ancient Egypt, the Tree of Life held a significant place in their religious beliefs and symbolism. The ancient Egyptians, around 3100 BC, were among the first people to portray the image of the tree of life, with the acacia tree considered the tree of life.
Acacia Tree
According to Egyptian mythology, Isis and Osiris, the first couple in the world, emerged from the tree of life. It is widely accepted that acacia was considered a tree of life in Ancient Egypt.
The Goddess Lusaaset and the Acacia Tree
The Egyptian goddess Lusaaset, meaning ‘the great one who comes forth,’ was considered the grandmother of all the Egyptian gods, except for her husband the sun god Tem or Atum (Amun-Ra). The ancient Egyptian goddess Lusaaset was associated with the acacia tree known as the Tree of Life to ancient Egyptians.
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It is important to note that all species of acacia are known to be hallucinogenic, either in their bark, roots, leaves or fruit, due to the natural production of DiMethylTryptamine or DMT. In particular, acacia trees were used by the ancient Egyptians to make a hallucinogenic wine.
In this Egyptian scripture, the acacia tree of Lusasset is located in the Garden of Heliopolis and described as the ‘tresses of the Goddess’ which ‘ascended from the vertex of Geb’. Since Geb was the god of the Earth and husband of sky goddess Nut, the acacia Tree of Life bridges the Earth and Sky at the center of the Garden.
Here, the epithet ‘the Beautiful’ refers to Lusaaset as she ascends from the head of Geb (Earth) as Venus rises out of the Earth or sea in the Eastern Sky (Nut). Greek historian Plutarch referred to Lusaaset as the ‘mistress of Annu’ (or Atum) and the ‘Eye of Ra.’
Venus Transit and the Eye of Ra
Some suggest that this name originated from the rare Venus Transit. This is when the planet Venus crosses the face of the sun (about once a century), appearing like an eye and symbolizing the union between male Atum and female Lusaaset. This idea is repeated in the Hindu Vedas where the sun god Indra swallows Shukra, the goddess of Venus, and spits her out as a seed or semen to be born into the waters of Earth.
Thus for the Egyptians, the spiritual rebirth experienced while drinking Yrp wine was associated with the rebirth of Venus at dawn. The names Juesaes, Ausaas, Saosis, Lusas and Jusas are all variations of Lusaaset, with Jusas still the preferred spelling for Jesus in some cultures.
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Furthermore, Jesus may have represented the alchemical union of the Sun and Venus to the Hebrews, a kind of incarnation of the all-seeing Eye of Ra (or Eye of Horus). The Tree of Life in the Garden of Heliopolis may be the same Tree of Life described in the Biblical Garden of Eden.
Its hallucinogenic fruit would have been the forbidden fruit of knowledge. This interpretation is reinforced by the Latin name Lucifer, meaning ‘lusas-feri’ or ‘light-bearer’, which refers to Venus as the Morning Star rising bright in the dawn’s early light. Thus, the all-seeing eye is sometimes called the Eye of Lucifer.
Jusas as a demi-god of fertility would then represent not just physical birth, but also rebirth into the afterlife.
Why is every religion OBSESSED with the TREE OF LIFE?
The Tree of Life and the Afterlife
The personification of “Nht” (sycamore) took the form of a tree-goddess, associated with deities like Hathor, Nut, and Isis, and was connected to the passage to the Hereafter. This personification varied in form, sometimes appearing formal, sometimes emblematic, depending on the context. Cosmogonies and creation myths stemmed from observations of natural processes, often cyclical in nature.
In this instance, the “Lady of the Sycamore” is an integral part of the Osiriac cycle, intricately linked to Ra/Osiris. Consequently, the goddess represented by the sycamore embodies multiple facets, including Hathor, known as the “Lady of the Theban mountain,” Nut-Hathor, often referred to as “the celestial cow,” and Isis, revered as the “mother of Horus,” among others.
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These manifestations trace back to the archaic figure of “meret-uret,” symbolizing heavenly concepts such as the abode of Horus or the cosmic mother.
Regarding the sycamore, its association with Nut as the “heavenly mother” is notable, as this wood is commonly used for sarcophagi. Within these sarcophagi, the carving of Nut, known as “the one who covers the sky,” embraces the deceased, symbolizing a return to the mother’s womb.
In more symbolic contexts, depictions of the rising sun (Ra) often feature two mountains resembling the breasts of a goddess. Additionally, references are made to the medicinal properties of sycamore sap, used in various remedies. The scenes featuring the sycamore are commonly found in tombs typical of the New Kingdom.
Understanding this symbolism requires situating ourselves within the cultural context. This “paradise” found expression on tomb walls, adorned with depictions of lush gardens and sacred trees, intended for the eternal pleasure of the deceased.
The sycamore, specifically, serves as a crucial element for departing the underworld, harnessing divine energies to achieve immortality. This hierophany isn’t confined to the desert alone; it also manifests within the orderly confines of the garden, where the departed freely roam, quench their thirst, and find solace among the tree branches (Ba).
Oh Nut sycamore, give me the water and the breeze that is in you!
Comparative Analysis of Tree of Life Symbolism
The Tree of Life is a fundamental archetype in many of the world's mythological, religious, and philosophical traditions. Various trees of life are recounted in folklore, culture, and fiction, often relating to immortality or fertility.
Here is a comparative look at how the Tree of Life appears in different cultures:
| Culture/Religion | Tree of Life Representation | Associated Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Acacia Tree | Emergence of deities, connection to Lusaaset, hallucinogenic properties |
| Christianity | Tree in the Garden of Eden | Source of eternal life, access revoked after the fall of man |
| Norse Religion | Yggdrasil | World tree connecting different realms, extensive lore surrounding it |
| Judaism (Kabbalah) | Ten Interconnected Nodes | Central symbol of Kabbalah, representing ten Sefirot powers in the divine realm |
| Islam | Shajarat-al-Kuld (Tree of Immortality) | Symbol of a concept, idea, way of life or code of life |
| Mesoamerican Cultures | World Trees | Directional and central aspects representing cosmovision and iconography |
The Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt
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