Monday, May 24, 2010

Myths, Folklore, and Symbolism: Fig Tree

Fig Tree: "Revered as a holy tree by many peoples, it often symbolizes fertility and abundance (like the olive tree and the grape vine). In antiquity it had erotic symbolic significance and was sacred to Dionysus. In India, a fig tree growing down from heaven symbolizes the world. The bodhi tree is the fig tree under which the Buddha became enlightened (from Sanskrit bodhi, enlightenment); in a general sense it is a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment." (Herder)

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