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Wat Xieng Thong's famous "Tree of Life" mosaic was crafted in 1960.
For the story that accompanies these pictures, please check out my PhotoBlog post:
www.ursulasweeklywanders.com/travel/food-for-the-soul-alm...
Close ups of my submission to November's Art Bead Scene Project inspire by Gustav Klimpt's Tree of Life Painting.
ABOUT THE BEAD: I pictured the bead in my head immediately but Klimpt's work inspires me like that. The glass bead came out even prettier than I'd expected!
ABOUT THE NECKLACE: I lucked out and found a bowl full of threaded e beads ready to crochet! I sort of wish the pattern was a bit more random with this bead as the focal but... I wasn't about to restring! The five bead pattern whipped up in under a week.
I knew I wanted copper findings and was THRILLED to find the little tree branch motif toggle in my stash! It's sewn on the ends with copper bead caps.
But that's where my luck ran out. This bead had holes a little bigger than I would have liked and I had no copper molded caps so I tarnished sterling ones which, in the end, matched the metallic limbs of the tree branches.
I like jewelry that can be interchanged... different drops, plain or fancy and I knew I wanted to be able to wear the crochet alone or with other beads. I shaped 16 gauge copper on a sharpie and spiraled it onto the crochet cord.
When I wire wrapped my bead - also on 16 g. copper, I wrapped a tarnished silver giant lobster on to the pendant. This way I can wear whatever pendant strikes my fancy with my crochet necklace!
This is a quick mock up I did on the computer of a mandala idea I got while looking through Jung's Red Book. Looking at illustration 63 and seeing the drawing of the tree of life with the cosmic egg at its base, the symbols came together for me in a new way, which made me want to explore in a mandala form. This is an unfinished rough sketch. After spending more time sitting with it and refining it further I'd like to paint this on canvas I think.
The cosmic egg at the base of the tree is potential, represented from every direction simultaneously, making a resemblance to an atom symbol.
The tree is replicated 12 times as a multiple of 3.
The disks at the perimeter contain symbols used in sympathetic vibration physics, which represent arrangement of atoms inside a molecule according to this principle.
the repeating tree shapes begin to look like internal organic forms; "as above, so below".
Rain tree and reflection on water with the white presidential palace as borrowed scenery.
Picture taken from the Buitenzorg, Bogor botanical garden, Bogor City, West Java, Indonesia.
05/16/2011 - Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain - 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival - "The Tree of Live" Photocall - Palais des Festivals - Cannes, France - Keywords: Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 - False - Photo Credit: Pixplanete / PR Photos - Contact (1-866-551-7827) - Portrait Face Count: 1
This is our daily walk which takes us around the block. Mitch can barely make it and needs to be led on his leash or else he will walk into things. It's sad, yet it's the best time spent all day. We lost a dear friend and relative on New Year's Day. She was my age and courageously faced her terminal illness for the last few years. I was unable to make today's funeral in Philadelphia with Steve since i couldn't leave mitch. He needs round the clock care at this point. He has been comforting me and I, him. There's no better shoulder to cry on.
It is tall, it is beautiful and it is settled well, facing the General Kléber, having the place of honor in the heart of Strasbourg, trying from the top of its 30 meters to outshine the cathedral. And that old boy may be right to pine for it: he truly is a good competitor! Like he is every year, actually… But do you know where does the tradition of the fir tree come from ? Do you know its history ? Come on, have a seat, get comfy and you will get some new stories to tell while you eat the Yule log this year…
HOW THE CHRISTIANS CHEATED THE CELTS (AND THEN CHEATED THEMSELVES)
The Church’s aim of course was to impose its belief by eradicating as much as possible the other beliefs, the “old ones”. They thus “arbitrarily” (not that much, but we’ll develop another time) chose the date of December 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ: that is, Christmas (in French: Noël, from natalis, natality). As a result, this is also a birth, isn’t it? Then everything is fine? Well, almost…
The power of the Church thus imposed itself by crushing little by little the old celtic traditions, from the 4th century of our era on. A millenium and a half later, it is clearly an undeniable success.
The plant itself was about to follow the same conversion: in the 12th century, it still represents natality, but it is the garden of Eden’s tree of life and it’s decorated with beautiful red apples.
In Germanic cultures, it can be found for Christmas from the 16th century onwards. The first written mention of a Christmas fir tree seems to happen in 1492 in Strasbourg! The Œuvre Notre-Dame ordered 9 resinous trees for the 9 parishes in Strasbourg in order to “welcome the new year”.
However, there is a reason the conifer went up the ladder in our regions at the time. A religious event greatly helped the sprout in its growth: the Reformation. In Strasbourg, in Alsace, in the protestant countries and cities of the time, we are getting rid of the statues, those of Jesus, the Virgin, the saints and other biblical characters. Of course, the Nativity scene with its small figurines follows the same path: out with it! Consequently, the pine branch becomes the new symbol of the festivities for the birth of Jesus.
Back then, the Alsatians are in truth not satisfied anymore with just a branch to decorate, they want the whole tree! They then decorate it with apples, candies and small cookies we call: bredele (!). Also, we have it hanging upside down from the ceiling, to protect it from rodents.
Nowadays, the king of the forests is not suspended anymore, it is well planted in its concrete pedestal, in the heart of the city, illuminating each of our guided tours… To get to know how the king of the forests ended up being present on all continents, check the world’s conquest by the Christmas tree.
happy-strasbourg.eu/the-origins-of-the-christmas-tree/
On Christmas Eve our family gathers around the Christmas tree, which for us represents the Tree of Life in remembrance of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The evergreen is the traditional Christmas tree. Its branches and triangular shape point heavenward, and its needles remain “ever green” through the cold winter months to remind us of eternal life symbolized in the Tree of life.
Traditional Christmas tree decorations remind us of the first Christmas. A star at the top of the tree represents the new star that appeared in heaven on the day that Christ was born. The angel represents the angel that came to the shepherds to tell them of the Savior’s birth, and to go and worship him, and also represents the angels who rejoiced with singing from the heavens.
Nativity scenes frequently show a pure white little lamb closest to the Christ child to remind us that he is the pure and innocent “lamb of God” who was sent to be sacrificed for the sins of the world in fulfillment of the law of Moses.
The colorful bulbs are fruits of the Tree of Life, and the lights signify the everlasting light of life that comes from the Savior Jesus Christ. The circle of the evergreen wreath reminds us of eternal life. The most precious gifts of the earth from the three wise men -gold, frankincense and myrrh – are also remembered in ornaments, in fragrant candles, and herbs. And we similarly give gifts at Christmas time in remembrance of the first Christmas gifts.
The Tree of Life in heaven described in the Book of Revelation has twelve different kinds of fruit. This is part of the traditional tree decorations in some parts of Europe, where they hang real fruit on the evergreen tree and eat from it through the holiday season. Today the fruit has been mostly replaced by colorful round bulbs. Fruit of the Tree of Life of course represents eternal life as the greatest of God’s gifts to man (1 Nephi 8). What could be more appropriate on Christmas than to contemplate this wonderful symbol for the Christmas tree?
To our knowledge, the Tree of Life was first depicted in the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness (later in the Temple of Solomon), with guardian angels (winged cherubim) on either side of the tree, as a reflection of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. This art work was repeated around the inner walls of the Tabernacle.
The central Tree of Life symbol was in the form of a large lamp stand, still used in the Jewish religion today. It was in the form of a stylized tree with seven branches. Each branch was carved with alternating leaves and fruit. Lamps set on top of each branch burned with oil of the Olive Tree, which is the traditional Tree of Life of Israel.
The lamps were kept burning continually to signify the constant light and life of Jehovah that would lead and guide the Children of Israel if they would be obedient to the Gospel. Similarly, Christmas trees always have their lights. Before electricity, they were candles, and they are now electric lights in the shape of candles or the candle flame.
Nephi and the Tree of Life
On Christmas our family reads the meaning of our Christmas tree in the Book of Mormon from Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life in the 11th chapter of 1 Nephi. Nephi sought prayerfully to understand the vision of the Tree of Life his father had related. An angel appeared to Nephi, and when Nephi declared his belief in his father’s teaching about the Tree of Life the angel rejoiced in Nephi’s belief in the “Son of the most high God,” (vs. 5-6). He did not yet understand the connection of the Tree to the Son of God. He was then told that he would be given a sign, that after being shown the Tree of Life, he would behold a man descending out of heaven and witness that he is the Son of God (vs. 7).
Nephi saw the Tree and marveled at its exceeding beauty and whiteness, but he still did not understand its relationship to the Son of God. Desiring to know the interpretation of this tree, Nephi was then told to look, and a vision of Jerusalem opened up to him. He saw the city of Nazareth and an exceedingly fair and beautiful Virgin.
Within this vision another angel descended from heaven to Nephi, and reflecting on this fair virgin asked Nephi if he knew how God bestowed his greatest gift upon man. Nephi wasn’t sure, but stated that he did know that God loves his children. The angel then revealed that the virgin is the mother of the Son of God in the flesh. The scene then changed and Nephi saw the same virgin bearing a child in her arms, which the angel introduced to Nephi as the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
Now, the angel asked Nephi if he knew the meaning of the Tree of Life which his father (and he) had seen, and Nephi exclaimed, “Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.” And the angel added, “Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.”
This was the great joy Lehi experienced when he partook of the fruit of the Tree of Life in vision. This tree, as a sign of the Son of God, and the way God bestows his greatest gift on mankind was now clear to Nephi. It was all wrapped up in this infant child. The Tree as a sign of life was a sign of God’s gift of the Christ child to the world as the ultimate expression of God’s love. This was the first and greatest Christmas gift.
Truly, the spirit of the love of Christ does spread abroad in the hearts of the children of men throughout the world at Christmas time.
The Savior’s Mission
Nephi’s vision of Christ then concluded in witnessing the mission of the Savior. Many worshiped at his feet; he taught the multitudes; angels descended from heaven to administer to them; he administered to the sick and afflicted, healed them and cast out devils; and finally he was judged of the world and crucified on the cross for the sins of the world.
In that final atoning sacrifice Christ completed his earthly mission and redeemed the world from sin. Three days later he broke the bands of death by resurrecting that all mankind might resurrect and gain eternal life.
The culmination of Christ’s mission to the world is the ultimate meaning of the Tree of Life (and the Christmas tree) as a representation of eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 13).
God’s greatest and very personal gift to each and every one of us, his “condescension,” was truly the gift of the Christ child. The greatest Christmas gift that we can give to God in return, is to embrace the Christ child in truth and spirit, just as we embrace all pure and beautiful infants. And with that embrace let us embrace his gift of salvation totally in our hearts. Only He is the Tree of Life that bears the fruit of eternal
life.
This is the spiritual feast by which we may freely partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life, and experience the exceedingly great joy that comes from no other source. May we each find that great joy by feasting
from the fruit of the Tree of Life this Christmas season, and continue to partake throughout the new year as we accept the Lord’s sacrament each Sabbath day.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
I finally completed this quilt last fall after 5 or so years. It started with the center Tree of Life blocks and grew from there with setting ideas evolving right up to the last blocks added. I quilted it quite extensively and am very happy with the end result (and very happy to have it done!)
Photo by Sally Bell.
She thinks this one drowned herself for love, but I suspect there's more than one in the house.
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
www.thewhisperingwillow.etsy.com
These 3-D Tree Of Life Agate Slabs look great as a suncatcher hanging on the porch, over a window, on the wall or adorning your favorite shelf. You can even place a tealight candle (preferably the flameless flicker effect kind) on the back of the stand, dim the lights some and you have a marvelously mysterious effect!
The Tree of Life takes on a colorful cast in the moments before it wakes up for another projection show. The tree is the latest canvas for the light-painting video technology that Disney has put into every park except Epcot (so far).
Photo: Ming Nomchong
Muse: Holly Brown
Hmu: Amanda Reardon
Creative Director: Abigael Whittaker
Creative Assist: Ashleigh Evans
Photo Assist: Jeremy Gryst & Maxwell Finch
Campaign Film: Dom Sullivan.
This is what I've designed to be the shape of the tree of life, my next project for the customer with the crowns.