The concept of the Tree of Life is a universal symbol representing the deep connection between all forms of existence. This phrase does not refer to a single plant species; rather, it functions as a profound archetype in mythology and a precise diagram in modern science. The answer to “what type of tree” depends on whether one addresses the ancient, symbolic quest for immortality or the contemporary biological understanding of life’s shared ancestry. This article explores both dimensions, examining its interpretation in spiritual texts, its manifestation across global cultures, and its formal definition within evolutionary biology.
Identification in Major Religious Texts
The most widely known iteration of the Tree of Life originates in the Abrahamic traditions, featuring prominently in the Book of Genesis. Placed in the Garden of Eden alongside the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, its primary function was to confer eternal physical life upon those who ate its fruit. The biblical narrative emphasizes the tree’s purpose but omits any description of its physical form or species.
After Adam and Eve transgressed, they were expelled from the Garden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and living forever in a fallen state. The text focuses on the metaphysical consequence rather than its botany, leaving its true species undefined for religious scholars. This ambiguity has led to centuries of speculation regarding what type of fruit could grant perpetual existence.
The distinction between the two trees is important: the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden, while the Tree of Life was freely available until the expulsion. The lack of a specific name for the tree, such as “Oak” or “Fig,” suggests its identity is symbolic, meant to represent life itself rather than a biological entity.
Global Cultural Interpretations
The motif of a cosmic tree connecting the heavens, earth, and underworld is present in mythologies worldwide, with each culture choosing local flora to embody this universal symbol.
In Norse mythology, the World Tree, Yggdrasil, is most frequently described as an immense Ash tree, though some scholarship suggests it may have been a Yew due to its longevity and association with death and rebirth. Yggdrasil’s branches stretch across the cosmos, holding the nine worlds together, while its roots extend into deep wells.
In the cosmology of the ancient Maya, the sacred World Tree, or Yax Imix Che, was represented by the enormous Ceiba tree (Ceiba pentandra). This majestic tree was envisioned as the axis mundi, with its roots reaching into the underworld, its trunk forming the earthly plane, and its crown supporting the thirteen layers of heaven.
The ancient Near East also featured a prominent sacred tree in Assyrian art. This stylized image, sometimes called the Assyrian Sacred Tree, is widely believed to be a representation of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera). Its appearance in reliefs, often flanked by winged genii, links the tree to concepts of fertility, kingship, and the divine order.
Real-World Botanical Speculations
Scholarly attempts to assign a botanical species to the biblical Tree of Life focus on common and symbolic plants of the ancient Levant.
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a strong candidate, representing life and fertility in the arid Middle East. Cherubim figures guard both the Tree of Life in Genesis and the palm trees decorating Solomon’s Temple, suggesting a symbolic link. The Date Palm’s long lifespan and abundance of fruit made it an emblem of sustenance and immortality.
The Fig tree (Ficus carica) is another frequently proposed species, though it is usually associated with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This association stems from the detail in Genesis that Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover themselves immediately after eating the forbidden fruit.
The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has also been suggested as the true fruit of the Tree of Life or the forbidden fruit. Its numerous seeds symbolize fertility, abundance, and the promise of eternal life, aligning closely with the tree’s purpose. Its Latin name, pomum granatum, means “seeded apple,” which may have contributed to the later tradition of the apple. Ultimately, the lack of botanical description in the original text means that any single plant identification remains speculative.
The Phylogenetic Tree of Life
In contemporary science, the “Tree of Life” is not a physical plant but a conceptual, diagrammatic metaphor representing the evolutionary history and relationships among all organisms on Earth. This diagram is known as a phylogenetic tree, which visually traces the lines of descent from a single, universal common ancestor to all present-day species. The scientific field dedicated to reconstructing these relationships is called phylogeny, which uses methods like cladistics to group organisms based on shared characteristics.
The structure of the modern scientific Tree of Life is primarily determined by comparative genetics, particularly the sequencing of ribosomal RNA genes. This molecular analysis revealed that life is separated into three fundamental branches, known as the Domains of Life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Eukarya includes all plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
The vast majority of the tree’s diversity is contained within the microscopic Domains Bacteria and Archaea, which are both prokaryotic, lacking a membrane-bound nucleus. The Domain Eukarya, which includes all large, visible life forms, represents only a small, late-branching twig on the immense evolutionary tree. This scientific model provides a concrete answer to the question of what type of “tree” connects all life: a conceptual framework rooted in genetic data, demonstrating common ancestry over billions of years.