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Introduction to tree spirits and tree worship
Tree Worship
The earliest form of worship was probably the veneration of the Mother
Goddess, the Earth Mother. Fertility, creation and the world of plants
and animals were her blessings to her devotees. The worship of the
tree would have originated somewhere at this time as the adoration of
her creative abilities, symbolizing fertility so essential to the
survival of early people.
According to popular belief, all plants are conscious beings, with
distinct personalities. They are represented as gods, demons and
animals. And since time immemorial, the grateful populace found it
entirely natural to worship trees that gave them food, fire, shelter,
shade, clothing and medicine. Tree worship is found in ancient
societies the world over.
Tree worship has continued to be an element of modern Hinduism. In
ancient times, temples were either rare or even absent. A sacred area
was generally enclosed by a fence made of wood and later, stone.
Numerous references are made in literature to trees as the abode of
the gods. They sheltered the object of worship: the deity, a fetish, a
weapon or any other.
Because they do not stop growing, trees symbolise reproduction,
especially the flowering and the fruit-bearing species. Therefore in
villages, any large tree is revered as the power that sustains the
community. Trees play an important role in almost all ceremonies,
especially their leaves, fruit and roots.
Some sacred trees are the mango (Mangifera indica), the neem (Azidirachta
indica), the peepal (Ficus religious), the banyan (Ficus bengalensis
linn), the bel or wood apple (Aegle marmelos), and the ber or jujube (Zizyphus
jujube). Most trees mentioned in mythology also have medicinal
properties, which was acknowledged in the ancient scriptures. The bark
of the kadamba tree (Adina cordifolia) is an antiseptic; the roots of
the bel tree are used to treat fever; the fruit of the banana tree (Musa
paradisiaca) is one of the most energy-rich foods, containing
vitamins, iron and other minerals; the leaves of the mango tree are
used as an astringent and its seeds contain gallic acid.
Some trees are considered sacred because they represent a specific
deity. For example, all trees, which have trifoliate leaves, like the
varu (Crataera religious), are believed to be associated with the
Trimurti. The leaves of the bel, which are also trifoliate, represent
Shiva's three eyes and are offered to him in worship. Other trees are
held sacred because they are believed to be the homes of certain gods.
According to the Padma Purana and the Brahma Purana, there was once a
time when the demons defeated the gods. To save themselves, the gods
hid in various trees: Shiva in the bel, Vishnu in the peepal and Surya
in the neem. The Skanda Purana says that the parijata (Nyctanthes
arbor tristis), the mango and the banyan emerged from the samudra
manthan.
Because trees are sacred, it is an act of virtue to plant and water
them. Elaborate rituals precede the planting or cutting of trees.
Traditionally, trees are cut only if absolutely necessary. Before
being cut, the tree spirit is asked for forgiveness. Various mantras
are recited, so that the ill effect is minimised.
There are different beliefs associated with trees. It is believed that
during the Chaturmasya, the gods rest in trees and plants. Therefore
if trees are worshipped and boons asked for during this time, the gods
are said to be generous. Kalpavriksha, a mythological tree mentioned
in the Puranas, is believed to be a wish-granting tree. The spirits
that live in certain trees like the jackfruit are believed to wander
from their arboreal homes at night. For this reason, people avoid
certain trees after dark (see Popular Superstitions) However not all
trees are considered auspicious. The tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is
one such tree that has no place in ceremonies, since the sourness of
its fruit is not appropriate to the auspicious spirit of such events.
The chaitan or Devil's Tree (Alstonia scholaris) is believed to be the
home of the devil.
Trees also help avert unhappiness. Boys and girls are married to
trees, if it has been foretold that their first marriage will be
unhappy or end with the spouse's death. The tree is considered the
first spouse, who will bear the effect of the prediction. The person
is then married 'again', to a human spouse. Since an unmarried girl
cannot be cremated, a daughter who remains unwed past a certain age,
is married to a tree. These practices are still followed, though
rarely, in remote areas.
Threads are tied around certain trees, like the peepal, to seek a
boon. It is believed that the thread bothers the tree spirit, which
therefore grants the boon. After the boon is granted, the thread is
untied and buried at the foot of the tree.
Fact or Fiction on Tree Worship?
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Plants were first feared and then worshiped because of the
intoxicating liquors which were derived from there. Primitive man
believed that intoxication rendered one divine. There was supposed to
be something unusual and sacred about such an experience. Even in
modern times alcohol is known as "spirits."
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Early man looked upon sprouting grain with dread and
superstitious awe. The Apostle Paul was not the first to draw profound
spiritual lessons from, and predicate religious beliefs on, the
sprouting grain.
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The cults of tree worship are among the oldest religious
groups. All early marriages were held under the trees, and when women
desired children, they would sometimes be found out in the forest
affectionately embracing a sturdy oak. Many plants and trees were
venerated because of their real or fancied medicinal powers. The
savage believed that all chemical effects were due to the direct
activity of supernatural forces.
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In fact a seal discovered during
excavations at an Indus Valley site (the first-known ancient
Indian civilization, c. 3000 BC - 1700 BC) shows the peepal tree
being worshipped.
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The belief that water or precious metals beneath the earth's
surface can be detected by a wooden divining rod is a relic of the
ancient tree cults. The Maypole, the Christmas tree, and the
superstitious practice of rapping on wood perpetuate certain of the
ancient customs of tree worship and the later-day tree cults.
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Many of these earliest forms of nature veneration became
blended with the later evolving techniques of worship, but the
earliest mind-adjutant-activated types of worship were functioning
long before the newly awakening religious nature of mankind became
fully responsive to the stimulus of spiritual influences.
- Lone trees or trees growing in
unusual places are considered especially powerful, such as the
lone birch "shaman tree" that are believed to be the home of
shamans' helper spirits.
- Besides superstitious worship,
Banana do have these facts:
- Weight for weight dried
bananas contain 5 times more calories than fresh
- The banana plant isn't a tree
- it's actually a part of the lily family
- The banana plant is the
biggest plant on earth without a wooden stem
- They are the most widely
consumed tropical fruit, and are classified as a herb too
- They contain a high level of
natural sugar that is released quickly into the bloodstream,
giving instant energy
- The potassium contained in a
banana also helps regulate blood, that reduce death rate from
stroke 40%
- The sap of the banana plant
has been used in dying cloth to a light brown color
- According to the folklore of
India, it is said that the Ascetics who live in the forests
eat a constant diet of bananas until they become wise men
So which plants are well-known spirit infested?
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Frangipangi |
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THE lovely
Frangipangi plant with its creamy white blossoms is one of the
most charming ornaments of the garden. The tree is called
Lunthom in Thai and sounds very similar to the Thai word Rathom
which means sorrow. That is the reason why the conventional
Thais would not care to have Frangipani in their compound. Many
of the Thais associate the tree with death and believe the tree
is the abode of departed spirits particularly those who did not
have a good life while alive here on earth. And there is
another saying that when there is fragrance of Frangipangi, you
just have to run away without turning back.. because Pontianak
is coming. |
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Soak Tree |
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Same is the
treatment of the Soak tree. It is thought better to not have an
Ashok tree in an Indian's compound as Sita (Seeda) had to stay
in a forest of Ashok trees when she was held a captive by Ravana.
Many conventional Indians still hesitate to name their daughters
as Sita, as Sita had more sorrow in her life than joy. The Soak
tree in a residence compound is also viewed with some
trepidations of heart. |
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Rak Tree |
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The Rak tree on
the other hand is much prized. The word Rak or Ruk means love in
Thai language. The flowers of the Rak tree are woven into
garlands and are worn around the neck of a bride and a
bridegroom. But in the olden days the flowers were used as
centerpieces for floral decorations at cremation. Some older
villagers would not willingly have a Rak tree in the compound as
the flowers of the tree are used in cremation. |
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Ngiew Tree |
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Ngiew tree with
its soft wood is very much prized for making coffins. That is
why a Ngiew tree is not looked on with favour in the compound.
Also, in the Buddhist parables of hell we find the soft wood of
Ngiew tree is often mentioned. The tree trunk has large thorns.
The spirits of unfaithful wives have to climb this tree and be
tortured in hell. Usually a large and ferocious tiger growls at
the foot of the tree waiting for the spirit to slip and be
devoured. No wonder if a Ngiew tree is suddenly found growing in
the compound the householder shudders. |
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Canna Lily |
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Canna lily is
not grown in the compound but planted outside the boundary as
the fencing. Why ? Because the lovely plants with their flowers
keep away the evil spirits. These plants and flowers are largely
used in religious ceremonies. A very large tree is often
taken by the spirits, either benevolent or malicious, as their
abode. Offering have to be made if such trees are cut. The large
trees with thick branches and large leaves are the abode of male
spirits. Large to medium size trees give shelter to female
spirits. |
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Takian Tree |
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The Takian tree
is also to be avoided in the compound. The Takian timber is used
for the making of boat. Offerings have to be made before a
takian tree is cut down. Nang Takian spirit if annoyed will give
out dreadful wailing sound if proper homage is not paid to her.
She is also a flirt and sings mournful songs to attract
wandering men. The unwitting man goes to investigate a strange
sound and finds a lovely young damsel singing mournful dirges.
As he goes nearer and asks her what is the trouble, she will
draw him in a fond embrace and squeeze the life out of him.
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Naang Yaem |
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Another evil
plant that wreaks havoc if it happens to be planted in the house
is Naang Yaem. Naang Yaem is an attractive shrub with branches
of sweet smelling flowers. But as the spirit ages it turns very
annoying and throws stones at the neighboring houses when every
one is asleep |
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Banana Trees |
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Banana trees are
the abodes of infamous female spirits. It is said that if you
find a lovely young girl near this banana tree, she is an evil
female spirit. She will make love to a man and he will feel
tempted to visit her again. A few visits and his fresh blood
will be sapped by the evil female spirit resulting in a painful
death. Should a young man start becoming a weak and emaciated,
he is carefully watched and prevented from going to such banana
trees. The lovemaking is usually carried on in an unseen manner.
Such evil female spirits are called Nang Tan. They usually come
out on lovely moonlit nights when young men are in romantic
moods. |
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The information is mainly taken from "Folk Tales of Thailand" by P.C.
Roy Chaudhury.
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