"Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky."
— Kahlil Gibran
The Tree of Life is a symbol found in many belief systems and cultures around the world, representing the idea that all life on earth is connected. "Though we may branch out in various directions, each of us is part of something bigger." The symbol honours the vast diversity of life on earth while celebrating our shared roots and origins, implying the possibility that life on earth and all living beings can exist harmoniously.
In Aotearoa, New Zealand, Tāne-mahuta is revered as the god of the forest by the Māori people. It was he who separated the earth from the sky and brought the world of light into being. It was him, according to tradition, who fashioned the first human, adorned the heavens and brought knowledge and wisdom to human beings. Tāne also represents the masculine principle of uprightness, action and strength with his roots secured into the earth and his head in the heavens.
Trees sustain all of life around them. They witness decades and centuries pass by, continuously extending their branches to welcome visitors, friendship and nourishment to all who come near. The Tree of Life may also represent our personal development, uniqueness and individuality. Just as the branches of a tree strengthen and grow upwards to the sky, we too grow stronger, striving for greater knowledge, wisdom and new experiences as we move through life. All trees begin life in the same way, yet as they grow older, they weather nature’s forces and develop in their own unique and beautiful ways.