The World Tree

Oluf Olufsen Bagge – Yggdrasil, The Mundane Tree (1847).

The World Tree is illustrated as a massive tree holding up the world with its three branches. The world is inside a glass sphere, known as the firmament, which is viewed as a dome when seen from the world, symbolizing the prison of fantasy that is the scam of language. The world consists of a big mountain and a landscape with rivers flowing out to the sea. In the water, there’s a giant serpent (Ouroboros) circling the entire land, eating its own tail. Outside the waters, there are ice walls covering the entire world disc. Under the world, there’s a hidden underworld where the roots of the tree are planted. There are some paths in the underworld. From the top of the mountain, there’s a path to the underworld (symbolized by an arch). The arch, along with the sphere, composes the symbol of Islam, also known as the Mason symbol. When the world is seen from above, it resembles an eye.

Definition:

The “World Tree” is a mythological and symbolic tree that connects the heavens, earth, and underworld, serving as an axis mundi or world axis. It is a central element in various religious and mythological traditions, representing the structure of the cosmos and the interconnectedness of all life.

Etymology:

The term “World Tree” comes from the idea of a tree that encompasses and connects different realms of existence. The concept appears in various cultures and languages, each with its own name for this cosmic symbol.

Description:

The World Tree is typically depicted as a massive, towering tree with roots reaching deep into the underworld, a trunk that stands in the earthly realm, and branches that extend into the heavens.

The World Tree serves as a bridge between the divine and mortal realms, often seen as a source of life, knowledge, and stability.

According to Norse Mythology the gods go to Yggdrasil daily to hold their courts. The branches of Yggdrasil extend far into the heavens, and the tree is supported by three roots that extend far away into other locations; one to the well Urðarbrunnr in the heavens, one to the spring Hvergelmir, and another to the well Mímisbrunnr.

Symbolism:

The World Tree is known to symbolize life, growth, stability, and the connection between different realms of existence. It often represents the cycle of life and death, rebirth, and the interconnectedness of all beings. As an axis mundi, it serves as a spiritual center and a pathway for shamanic journeys or divine communication.

The mountain in Yggdrasil is an Illuminati symbol. The top of the mountain symbolizes God. The idea is that if you climb the mountain, you’ll get an overview of the world, which will make you realize the scam of the world, leading you to the underworld. In other words, your world will be turned upside-down.

The symbolism of the World Tree is present in the fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk”: Jack, a poor young boy, lives with his widowed mother. They have a cow named Milky-White, which they rely on for milk. One day, the cow stops giving milk, and Jack’s mother instructs him to sell the cow in the market to get some money. On the way to the market, Jack meets a mysterious old man who offers him five magic beans in exchange for the cow. Jack accepts the offer and returns home with the beans. His mother is furious when she sees that Jack has traded their cow for beans and throws them out of the window. Overnight, the beans grow into a gigantic beanstalk that reaches up into the clouds. The next morning, Jack climbs the beanstalk and discovers a land high in the sky. There, he finds a giant’s castle. Jack enters the castle and meets the giant’s wife, who gives him food and hides him when the giant returns. The giant has a magical hen that lays golden eggs, a bag of gold coins, and a magical harp that can play by itself. Jack steals these treasures in a series of visits to the castle. Each time, the giant’s wife hides him, but the giant eventually catches on. During his final visit, Jack steals the harp, but it starts playing and alerts the giant. Jack escapes down the beanstalk with the giant in hot pursuit. Once Jack reaches the ground, he calls for his mother, who brings him an axe. Together, they chop down the beanstalk, causing the giant to fall to his death. Jack and his mother live happily ever after with their newfound wealth, thanks to the magical treasures Jack obtained from the giant’s castle.

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Religion:

Stories and myths involving the World Tree often explore themes of creation, destruction, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence.

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is an immense ash tree that connects the Nine Worlds, including Asgard (home of the gods), Midgard (earth), and Helheim (underworld). It is central to the cosmology and mythology of the Norse. Yggdrasil represents the structure of the universe, the interdependence of all realms, and the cycle of life and death. It is also associated with wisdom and fate, as the Norns (fate maidens) dwell at its base.

The Axis Mundi is a symbolic representation of the world’s center in various cultures, often depicted as a tree, mountain, or pillar. It serves as the connecting point between heaven and earth. In different cultures, this concept is represented by structures like the ancient Egyptian Djed pillar, the Hindu Mount Meru, and the Mesoamerican World Tree.

The Tree of Life (and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) appears in the Bible, notably in the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis. It symbolizes eternal life and divine wisdom. It represents immortality, divine creation, and the interconnectedness of all life. In Christianity, it is often associated with Jesus Christ and eternal life.

In Mayan and other Mesoamerican traditions, the Ceiba tree (also known as the Yaxche) is considered sacred. It connects the underworld (Xibalba), the earthly realm, and the heavens. The Ceiba tree represents the cosmos, with its roots in the underworld, trunk in the earthly realm, and branches reaching to the sky, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

The Kalpavriksha, or “wish-fulfilling tree,” is a divine tree in Hindu mythology that grants wishes and provides for all needs. It is often depicted in the mythological paradise of Indra’s heaven. It represents abundance, fulfillment, and divine generosity. It is also a symbol of the interconnectedness of life and the universe.

The World Tree is central to many shamanic traditions, serving as a pathway for shamans to travel between the spiritual and physical worlds during rituals.

The World Tree often features in religious ceremonies, symbolizing the connection between humans and the divine, and the continuity of life.