Connection of Heaven and Earth: Symbolism of the Cross and Tree
September 7, 2006 by Arvind
The Cross or Crucifix is readily associated with Christianity in terms of Christ’s sacrifice. Anyone who has watched Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” would have graphic images of the torment of the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life along with his crucifixion. The cross has become the central symbol of Christianity for these reasons and from 390 CE it has become its central symbol.
The cross is also a familiar symbol in other traditions as well. The cross has symbolised life, immortality, union of heaven and earth, and union of spirit and matter. It also represents the centre. The arms can be mapped to the four directions, a motif common in pre-Colombian civilizations like the Aztec and Maya in the Americas.
In essence, the cross represents the intersection of two lines. The vertical axis is the divine, the horizontal the human, and the meeting point between them represents the unity of heaven and earth, human and divine. It is like meeting the divine in the human heart.
In order to explore the meaning of the cross, we need to turn to an earlier understanding of the tree because the Christian cross is rooted in mythic account of two trees. Trees have a long fascination in human consciousness as symbols of mystery, life, and the center. The tree in its structure buries its roots in the earth, symbolic of a deep connection with the earth. It lives on the earth, yet its branches reach up to the heavens. So the tree embodies a connection of earth and heaven, of spiritual and physical realms.
Familiar trees in Abrahamic traditions are the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life present in the Garden of Eden myth along with the Qabbalistic off-shot of the Tree of Life (see Kabbalah). We also have the Christian Tree of the Cross on which Christ was sacrificed.
We find spiritual transformation as an important aspect of trees in many traditional accounts. The Buddha became enlightened under a Bodhi tree (”Tree of Enlightenment”), which signifies that like the tree’s renewal through new foliage, the Buddha was spiritually reborn that day. It involves a death of the ego for a new life like shedding old leaves for new.
Odin the chief god of Norse mythology, gained his wisdom hanging from a huge ash tree, the Yggdrasil. He spent nine nights hanging from that tree in order to find the runes, an alphabet used to write Germanic languages. Odin’s sacrifice on the tree symbolically parallels the crucifixion of Christ.
The Yggdrasil
This myth also reflects the idea of an axis mundi (”world axis”), which is the centre of the world that connects heaven and earth. In this case, the motif is of a world tree. Symbolically the cross also perfectly represents this axis of earthly and divine.
Parallels of holy trees can be found in myths of the Kumbun tree in Tibet and the Ashwattha or Hindu Tree of Life mentioned in the Bhagvad Gita, which grows upside down from heaven. The branches below represent the sensory world, while the roots above represent the spiritual world. So again, a nexus of heaven and earth is present.
The tree is a symbol of the unity of heaven and earth, however the Biblical Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life disrupt this unity through the Fall of Adam and Eve, and their descendants. Before the Fall, the world was non-dual with light and dark, good and evil, male and female, and knowledge and mystery united. After the partaking of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, duality emerged as each opposite separated into a polarized half. The tree in this myth no longer unites heaven and earth but instead it represents separation from the Tree of Life, nature and the divine.
So given the Fall, the Christian tradition asks for spiritual redemption. The tree of the Christian cross on which Christ dies as the new Adam symbolically reconnects earth and heaven. The link between the Cross and Tree of Life becomes clear in the Christian tradition that maintains the wood used in the Cross came from the same Tree in the Garden of Eden.
Francisco de Zurbaran’s drawing
“Father forgive them, they do not know what they do.”
Interestingly, Christianity is one tradition that disrupts the original unity of humanity to spiritual life, nature, god and the self. Then its offers a soteriology of the cross to mend that break.
The tree represents the intersection of the divine and human realms. With the Fall of Adam and Eve this unity is disrupted, according to Christian perspective. So the crucifixion of Christ becomes necessary to restore this unity through his self-sacrifice in order to atone for Adam and Eve’s partaking the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In traditions, where this disruption through a Fall doesn’t occur, the need for a sacrifice is meaningless.
The cross takes much of the symbolic value of the tree. Both of them represent the meeting place for divine and human, heaven and earth, and they affirm a renewal of spiritual life.
What an interesting connection! I never thought of linking the two but it makes sense because both the cross and tree have the same source: wood.
what is your stance on Christianity and even Catholicism?
A person who sincerely follows Christianity or Catholicism will become a better human being. While Christianity, including at times Catholicism, can be contextualized within a literalist language within certain circles, this isn’t the only interpretation. Any spiritual tradition can be read at many levels.
Understanding is important if we are to discuss religious issues in the spirit of respectful dialogue. Often times when people speak of their religious convictions, they do so with such “enthusiasm” that they wish to convince another person of their beliefs.
With an open-mind and an open-heart we can find growth in our path. We know how important listening is to communication, which is why listening needs to be active instead of passive. This involves a dialogue with another person not merely a monologue with your own thoughts, especially when speaking with someone outside your tradition.
I believe the essential message of Christ is of love, forgiveness, acceptance and healing, which are universal qualities shared by many traditions. When you read the Sermon on the Mount and New Testament parables you find those universal spiritual themes elucidated.
Jason, I thank you for your thoughtful question. Your spiritual journey as narrated on your blog is an interesting read.
Peace and blessings,
Arvind
Thank you for your kind words. I agree with what your saying, and I will definetly speak back and forth with no enthusiasm as you requested. You did mention however, “This involves a dialogue with another person not merely a monologue with your own thoughts, especially when speaking with someone outside your tradition” I just want to lovingly say that it is never my own thoughts or my tradition, it is Christ’s thoughts and Christ’s traditions, written in His word.
You are correct in the essential message of Christ, and it seems to be shared by other traditions, or as I would like to call, different religions.
However, Christ also said in the same book he wrote the Sermon on the Mount and the New Testament parables, in Acts 4:12, Christ says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” I look forward to more dialogue with you.
I thank you Jason for your comments. I respect your views even if they are different than mine.
The intention of our blog is not to focus on debate on religion but rather to explore spiritual themes with an open mind. Belief and faith are personal issues and each person will discover our own path in our life.
I personally accept spiritual and religious diversity as an important aspect of the world. My own faith allows me to be open-minded of different views and I have found through learning of other paths my own understanding has deepened. Many people in the world have found a way to live with understanding, toleration and respect.
Thank you, I appreciated reading your history of the cross.
I would like to know the sources for the artwork of the cross/tree, and the Buddha. They are quite fine.
You may find this link interesting:
particularly “anatomy of the core”
which details the function of our subtle inner cross.
http://www.energeticcore.com/theEnergeticCore.htm
Mary
Mary,
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful link on the anatomy of the core. It’s very insightful!
I have often felt similar ideas when studying Buddhism with its emphasis on “nothingness” or shunya and other traditions that emphasize “everythingness.” While at a surface level the two perspectives seem different, yet they meet at a deeper level as the link points out.
How did you develop an interest in this topic?
Arvind
this isnt exactly concerning the whole cross, tree symbolism but is important to me to try and understand. im trying to establish a connection between heaven and the garden of eden for i believe that those two things might be actually one for the garden of eden’s gates were closed when adam and eve were sent away. and jesus died and reopened the pearly gates for us to all enter to be with God what if the gates he opened are one in the same with heavens gates. this might sound absurd but its something im trying to kinda help me with my faith and knowledge of basically everything thank you for your time
kyle critchelow
I’m want to apologize that my typing isnt exactly sophistcated and punctual. I’m 18 years old and just trying to understand more about my purpose in this world and what connections we might be overlooking or forgetting.
Though love, forgiveness, acceptance and healing is part of Christ’s message, it’s not the only message. It is, however, the theme that non-Christians take when defending other religions.
…the son of man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10
Also, Jesus is clear about false prophets. Nowhere does he say embrace all religions. He’s pretty clear about being the way, the truth and the light.
I’ve never heard that the tree represents the intersection of the divine and human realms in Christian perspective.
Christ died on the cross (perhaps fashioned from the same tree from the garden). He is now the new “fruit” “Unless you eat my flesh you shall not live” Thus the fruit in the Old Testament brought death to man and the fruit of Christ brought eternal life to man. This is why the Sacrament of the Eucharist is necessary for man to live.