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Wire Wrapped Citrine Tree of Life Necklace with Mental Clarity Tag
Approximate pendant diameter: 1.75"w "2.6" with bail)
Chain Length: 18.5" - 22" adjustable
"I carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you
Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)"
— E.E. Cummings
This is what's glued down thus far. The green leaves on the left were made by hand by Paradise Mosaic Tile and were expensive. For about $35, I got the double the amount of tiles on the left (not counting the big beige one). I had ordered some and then asked if she could just make me a variety of fun leaf shapes in various greens for the same amount of money. She made three shapes, three sizes, three colors. That's cool.
I can see this as a fall tree using small colored maple leaves and lots of crows. The problem, of course, is if I order all the stuff from her, then it's really not my work anymore. It's a little bit of design and mosaicing of branches, then assemblage. I suppose that's OK. After all, the plates wouldn't have been mine, technically, either.
Sorry, here I am blathering on. No one cares about that inner art argument.
Bold, colorful, and bursting with cultural symbolism, this striking sculpture—known as the Latino Tree of Life—is a central installation in the ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Designed in the tradition of Mexican folk art, this reimagined Árbol de la Vida celebrates the diversity, resilience, and achievements of Latino communities throughout American history.
The sculpture blends indigenous, Afro-Latino, and mestizo traditions into a contemporary art piece rooted in activism, identity, and collective memory. Vivid colors and hand-sculpted figures wind through tree-like branches, each element representing an individual, movement, or story that helped shape the fabric of U.S. history. From civil rights leaders to artists, from LGBTQ+ activists to labor organizers, the Tree of Life pays tribute to the countless contributions Latinos have made across generations.
At the base of the tree stand a circle of figures representing community unity—doctors, students, laborers, and musicians—each elevated by the branching structure above. Nestled among the winding arms of the tree are portraits, protest signs, butterflies, musical instruments, and emblems of social justice. A female empowerment symbol, a rainbow flag, and images of historic marches are woven into the sculpture’s narrative, reinforcing the exhibit’s message of inclusion and collective empowerment.
The Tree of Life sits in front of a projected backdrop of historical footage and photographs, connecting the physical sculpture with real-world movements and moments. This multimedia context deepens the emotional resonance of the artwork, allowing visitors to reflect on both the beauty and the struggle present in Latino histories. The layered visuals—both literal and symbolic—invite viewers to explore not just names and dates, but lived experiences and ongoing cultural evolution.
Inspired by traditional Mexican Día de los Muertos árboles de la vida, which often depict biblical or spiritual scenes, this contemporary iteration reinterprets the form to center Latino narratives in American history. It reminds viewers that Latino heritage is not a footnote—it is an essential root system in the nation's cultural and political growth.
Whether you view it as a folk sculpture, a political artifact, or a piece of interactive education, the Tree of Life is a visual storytelling masterpiece. It connects the past and present while encouraging reflection on identity, justice, and community.
This photo offers a window into one of the most colorful and meaningful corners of the Smithsonian’s Latino programming, perfect for art lovers, historians, cultural educators, and anyone seeking to understand the depth of the Latino experience in the United States.
Another of the shots that have been done over and over. Here is one of mine.
Thanks for looking and have a great day!
When I saw the shape of this tree I just had to take a photo. It reminded me of the Tree of Life in the Kingdom. It inspired me to try my hand at Haiku, a form of Japanese Poetry, with lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables again. Hope you enjoy
A tree in its final phase of life at Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, USA. The dry tree once full of life, now still stands tough and tall along the rim of Dead Horse Point, Utah, USA. Two young pines start to grow beside the old tree. Life goes on...
Goodness - it's been quite a long time since I've uploaded a photo! Life certainly has a knack for getting in the way, doesn't it? :-)
A few months ago, we took the Lensbaby over to Animal Kingdom. This lens definitely has a learning curve, and it's fun to practice getting the composition and focus just right. A lot of trial and error, resulting in dozens of Tree of Life photos!
"Tree of Life" - der Baum des Lebens
"Eine besondere naturnahe Form der Bestattung.
Wählen Sie ihren eigenen persönlichen Wunschbaum aus, welcher in einem Substratgemisch aus der Asche der/des Verstorbenen und spezieller Vitalerde zur Durchwurzelung gepflanzt wird.
Nach jeweiliger geographischer Herkunft stehen hierfür ausgewählte Sorten der Gattung – Ahorn, Birke, Douglasie und serbischer Fichte zur Verfügung. Andere Sorten auf Anfrage. Aufgrund noch immer geltender gesetzlicher Zwangsbestimmungen in Deutschland erfolgt die "Tree of Life" Baumaufzucht und Durchwurzelung in Spezialbaumschulen in der Schweiz, der Tschechischen Republik oder den Niederlanden.
Das Öffnen der Urne in den Spezialbaumschulen und das Herstellen des Substratgemisches, sowie die entsprechende Dokumentation erfolgt selbstverständlich unter notarieller Aufsicht und werden vor Ort vom anwesenden Notar für Ihre Unterlagen beurkundet.
Die Bäume benötigen zur vollständigen Durchwurzelung und Ascheaufnahme mindestens eine Zeit von 6 – 9 Monaten. Erst dann sind sie pflanzfähig. Sie erhalten daher Ihren "Tree of Life" Baum zur besten Pflanzzeit im folgenden Frühjahr oder Herbst.
Pflanzen Sie Ihren "Tree of Life" Baum am Lieblingsplatz der/des Verstorbenen, in speziell angelegten Ruhebiotopen oder in der freien Natur und schaffen sich damit Ihren eigenen ganz persönlichen Gedenkplatz." Zitat von:
~Open the door to the magick of the Wee Folk with this handmade wooden faerie door. Faerie doors help us renew our existence with nature along with enhancing our imagination and creativity, The Fairy Folk love when you place the door at the base of a tree in your garden or in your home.
~Tree of Life Door~ Our wise elders have often stated that the mysteries of life and death are embodied in the trees. They are vital to our survival: They are the lungs of our planet. On a symbolic and spiritual level their roots sink into the earth (the Underworld of ancestral spirits). The trunks represent the Middleworld (includes spirits and faeries) and the branches, the Upperworld (realm of Angels and Gods). All of which we are in contact with everyday. Trees form the portal to the Otherworld and the easiest way to get close to that world is to get close to the tree. Stop and think about it. As a kid didn't we love to climb trees and build tree houses? Ever wonder why? If we pay attention when being in the presence of a tree, we may find that our intuition may be enhanced and that we become aware of other levels of reality. So go ahead...HUG A TREE!
~The best times to catch a glimpse of faeries are 'tween times: Shadow time-dawn, dusk, midnight. Autumn and Spring are the best times as well. Some signs that you have tread near a faerie: sudden cold, unexplained trembling of leaves, a feeling of something crawling on you, when nothing is there.
BLESSINGS!
(This Tree of Life Faerie Door I have hanging in my backyard on the pine tree).
(Got into Explore on April 12, 2011)