What is the significance of palm trees

To Assyrians and Egyptians the palm is considered a tree of life. It was sacred to Ishtar and Ashtarte as well as to Nut and Hathor. These deities utilized the palm tree nectars to keep the dead in a semi-animated state while they awaited their fate in the Underworld. Sometimes the fruit of the palm would keep these souls in this state of undead forever.

The date palm is also associated with the sun god Ra, as a resurrection figurehead. All these aspects bring to mind themes of victory related to palm tree symbolism. Not only victory over the conflict between dualities, but victory over death as well.

Indeed, Christians adapted the palms as a symbol of resurrection victory over death through the union with Christ. Palm fronds were lain on the path walked by Christ as he entered Jerusalem. Palms were also strewn out as a red carpet welcoming returning Roman warriors from battle. They are also laid out to welcome returning pilgrims to the Holy Land. As dream symbols , palm trees symbolize our ability to rise above conflict and spread our light brilliantly — letting it shine over the din of petty concerns — rising above disillusionment like the sun itself.

Palms in dreams may also be a message for us to resurrect aspects of ourselves. In resurrecting these parts, we become a more whole entity. I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on palm tree symbolism. Be sure to check out the links at the end of this page for more articles on tree symbolism and symbolic meanings found in nature.

This was signified by the palm-trees which together with the cherubs and flowers were carved upon the walls of the temple; for the temple signified the Lord Himself, and in the representative sense, heaven AC , The cherubs , the palm-trees , and the flowers upon the walls signified Providence, wisdom, and intelligence, which are from the Lord, thus all things which are of heaven.

That these were carved on the walls of the temple, is evident in the first book of Kings Solomon carved all the walls of the house round about with openings of carvings of cherubs and palm-trees, and openings of flowers; and upon the two doors of woods of oil he carved carvings of cherubs and of palm-trees, and of openings of flowers, and overlaid them with gold, so that he overspread the gold upon the cherubs, and upon the palm-trees 1 Kings , 32 ;.

Cherubs denote Providence, AC ; by palm-trees , wisdom, which is of good from the Lord; and by flowers , intelligence, which is of truth from Him; by the gold with which the cherubs and palm-trees were overlaid, was signified the good of love which reigns universally in the heavens.

It had become such a common ornament that moulds were made of it in baked clay D'Agincourt, Terres cuites , , which were used as an expeditious means of stamping the form of a palm upon the fresh lime of the loculi, a very useful expedient in the extreme haste which, in times of persecution, was necessary in such clandestine burials. Be this as it may, it was none the less certain that the palm was frequently used as a symbol of martyrdom.

There were palms upon the tomb of Caius, both a pope and a martyr. A similar intention may be found in the palms which are traced upon the stucco enveloping vases of blood Bottari, tab. But while it is established that the palm is common to all Christian sepulchres, it follows that it is not a certain sign of martyrdom, at least when it is not joined to other symbols which are recognised as certain, such as inscriptions expressing a violent death, the instruments of martyrdom, — or vases or cloths stained with blood.

Papebroch and Mabillon were of the opinion that these two symbols should be taken together, so that the palm alone, without the vase of blood, was not a sufficient proof of martyrdom. Boldetti holds that they should be taken separately, as having the same value. Notwithstanding this declaration, Fabretti excludes the palm, and affirms that, in the recognition of holy bodies, it is founded only upon the vase of blood.

After this, Muratori Antiq. IV, , while he cites the degree, declares nevertheless "that in the practice of those who superintend the excavation of cemeteries, the only ground on which it rests is, not the palm, but the vase stained with blood.

Discover the power of SwordSearcher: A complete Bible study package, with thousands of topical and encyclopedic entries all linked to verses, designed for meaningful Bible study.