Sacred tree depiction in neo Assyrian art

Art emerges as a fact that reflects the way of life of humanity and its view of life. In the cave paintings that have survived to the present day, it is seen that humanity was in search of visuality even in the early ages. Mesopotamian art, which emerged in 4000 BC and continued uninterruptedly until the 6th century, has survived till today with important cultural developments in different ways. The Assyrian Kingdom, most of lands remain within the borders of present-day Iraq, emerged in 1000 BC and established dominance as an important political power in the region until 612. In Neo-Assyrian art, hunting, war and mythological scenes were generally treated as themeand they showed themselves as an invincible society, the messenger of the god Assyria. Among the magnificent works that have survived, there are reliefs adorning the palace walls, wall paintings, seals, jewelry, metal and ivory artifacts. Especially these works were unearthed in Nimrud (Kalhu), Dur-Sharrukin and Nineveh. The depiction of the sacred tree was frequently used on these works. The sacred tree is mostly depicted in the form of pinecones and pomegranates in palmette fertilization or hunting scenes. It is seen that the apkalu located next to the trees give life to nature as well as spreading abundance and fertility. The Assyrians did not see the sacred tree only as a cult object, but included it in their daily lives by depicting it in wall paintings, cylinder seals, wall reliefs, ivory works and jewelry.