Trees in Mythology

Thanks to stories like Alice in Wonderland, with it's rabbit hole under a tree leading to Wonderland (a favourite of ours here at Dorset Log Stores), the Ents of Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings, even to the contemporary Whomping Willow of Harry Potter, trees have a place in our collective conscience as places of magic and enchantment. In fact trees and woods have featured throughout myths and legends.

Olive Trees

In Ancient Greek mythology, a contest between Athena and Poseidon over naming Greece's greatest city, was won by the goddess Athena after she created and gifted them the olive tree as her gift. The olive tree was a vital export product for the city, providing food and oil, making Athens rich, so it is no surprise that this tree was woven into the very naming of their great city.

Similarly, in Greek mythology, trees were inhabited by demi-goddesses Dryads, beautiful tree nymphs who lives were linked to the their tree.

Ancient Greece even had a myth to explain why the almond tree flowered earlier than others, Phyllis missed her lover who was away at war so much that she was close to pining to death. Taking pity on her, the Goddess Athena turned her into an almond tree. Returning from the war, her lover heard what happened and kissed the almond tree in sorrow. It immediately burst into flower, even though its leaves had not started to bud and has done so ever since.

19th Century Depiction of Yggdrasil by Oluf Bagge

In Norse mythology, a tree is actually at the centre of the whole universe. The tree Yggdrasil is a central cosmic tree who's branches and roots extend far out into the heavens encompassing the nine known worlds of Norse mythology.

In the Jewish and Christian faith the tree plays a central role in their creation myths and as an explanation of the world itself. After Eve and Adam eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, at the behest of the wicked serpent, they are cast out of the Garden of Eden forever.

Trees of peace, such as those believed by the Iroquois Indians to be central to the founding of their confederacy, to groves of sacred trees are known to exist in Asia, India and across Africa, with penalties for those who violate them.

Trees as symbolic, ritual and mythical things stretch far beyond our recent stories, so next time you are filling your log store up ready for a cold evening, be sure to remember a story or two all about trees.