Celtic Tree of Life

Meaning and History of the Tree of Life

The ancient people of the Celtic Isles believed in the Tree of Life or Yggdrasil. Early Celtic mythology tells the story of the Tree of Life connecting the two worlds of Father Heavens and Mother Earth. When a Celtic tribe cleared new land for settlement, they always left a great tree in the middle known in Ireland as the crann bethadh, Gaelic for “Tree of Life.” Embodying the integrity of the Celtic people, chieftains were inaugurated under the sacred tree, for with its roots stretching down to the lower world and its branches reaching to the upper world, it connected him with the powers of both this world and the “other” spiritual world.

When the Norse invaded what is known as the Celtic Isles they brought with them another story of the Yggdrasil.  It is said to be an eternally green massive holy ash tree with branches that stretch over all of the nine worlds, extends up and above the heavens, and is anchored by three enormous roots each leading to a sacred well. Located in Asgard, the land of the Nordic gods, the tree is said to provide wisdom to those who drink its magical spring waters of knowledge.