Since humans realized that they needed to live in harmony with nature in order to survive, they began to regard the trees and water sources around them as sacred. The seasonal cycle of nature—like leaves falling in autumn and greening again in spring—was associated with the cycle of life and death. Some trees not shedding their leaves were interpreted as symbols of immortality and seen as sources of eternal life.

The Tree of Life Motif and Its Cultural Reflections

A Universal Symbol: The Tree of Life
The motif known as the "Tree of Life," considered sacred, appears in nearly all civilizations. Although it is interpreted differently in various cultures, it is associated with themes such as knowledge, fate, life, death, immortality, and rebirth. It has also been used as a symbol for protection against evil spirits.

The Tree of Life in Anatolian Seljuk Art
During the Anatolian Seljuk period, the Tree of Life was depicted with a double-headed eagle at its top and mythical creatures such as lions, dragons, sirens, and winged lions on its sides. It was adorned with birds perched on branches or pomegranate figures symbolizing abundance. These depictions are found in the tiles of the Kubadabad Palace and in stone reliefs on the portals of structures like mosques, tombs, and madrasahs.

Shamanism and the Concept of the Cosmic Tree

The Tree of Life motif is directly linked to Central Asian Shamanic beliefs. The tree’s branches rising to the sky symbolize the soul of the deceased reaching the deity. Its roots descend into the underworld, its trunk connects with the earthly world, and its branches reach the sky—positioning it at the center of the universe.

Trees in Mythology and Legends

Many legends regard the tree as the source of life. It is said that the first human, a hero, or an entire tribe originated from a tree. Thus, the tree is identified with fertility and abundance. In Greek mythology, there are references to nymphs like the Dryads who protect oak trees and the Meliae who guard ash trees. The origin stories of trees such as laurel and cypress add symbolic value to them. Throughout the ages, in various cultures, trees were believed to be divine gifts to humanity due to their fruitful nature and were used as symbols of abundance.

Trees in the Qur’an and Hadith

In the Qur'an, trees are highlighted with their greenery, fruits, and shade when describing paradise. The Hadiths also mention the features of paradise trees. Trees symbolize both earthly and eternal life.

The Tree Motif in Ottoman Art

Kara Memi and the Spring Tree Motif
In the 16th century, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the spring tree motif came to life through the designs of palace artist Kara Memi. It appears on the lacquered binding of a forty hadith manuscript dedicated to Prince Mehmed. This motif later spread to tiles, silk fabrics, and carpets.

Iznik Tiles and Trees
Iznik tiles frequently feature motifs of palm, pomegranate, cypress, and flowering fruit trees. In the tiles decorating structures built by Mimar Sinan, blossoming branches of plum, cherry, apple, or peach trees rise upwards, covering the surface. At places such as the Tomb of Hürrem Sultan in Istanbul, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, the Atik Valide Mosque, the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, and the entrance to the Privy Chamber of Murad III in Topkapi Palace—as well as later in the Sultan Ahmed Mosque—some tree trunks are detailed, while in others only decorative branches are shown. Fully fruited tree branches are rare, with early examples seen in the painted wall decorations of the Muradiye Mosque in Edirne. Tile panels featuring apple trees, like those in the Selimiye Mosque, are very rare and similar styles are seen in 18th-century embroideries. In that century, small trees surrounding buildings became more common in landscape-themed designs. Although the designs are quite simple, cypress, pine, plane, palm, weeping willow, and fruit trees like pomegranate and apple are often recognizable. Considering that these trees refer to paradise gardens, it becomes clear that artists used these motifs with the intention of bringing paradise into living spaces. Naturalistic or stylized trees symbolizing life and immortality became one of the main themes in compositions.

A Heritage Rooted in the Past, Living in the Present

The tree motif is not merely a decorative element but a symbol of humanity’s profound connection with nature. Representing the cycle of life, immortality, fertility, and abundance, this motif has left its mark in many fields—from mythology to religion, tradition to art. Reaching its peak during the Ottoman and Seljuk periods, this aesthetic understanding continues to thrive today. You can explore our tree motif İznik tiles to bring this cultural heritage into your living spaces.