A study on symbolism of tree of life and its associated practices for textile printing

Concept of sacred tree which is as old as human history has been changed into a variety of forms in living of mankind and become one of the most important subjects in arts. Symbolic meanings and uses of patterns vary based on periods of time, culture and geography that they belong in, the typical example of which is that date palm, olive and peach trees in the Middle East, Anatolia and Far East have been regarded as sacred plants respectively. Themes such as creation and genesis have always been associated with sacred trees in their own faiths. Legends that people and all other living things first appeared from tree, especially holy trees and trees are residences of gods and souls are widely popular in human communities all over the world. Birds described in trees on tree branches symbolise Shaman souls in Central Asia and Shamanism.Association of sacred tree with human life stems from the very idea that tree bears life itself. All sorts of trees such as evergreen and none evergreen ones have been the symbol of life cycle and therefore called tree of life. Evergreen trees has been identified with immortality while none evergreen ones with life and death. Essence of such attributions to trees as above have been related to their numerous benefits to people and animals. Trees that have been sacred with their fruits, leaves and shadows have finally turned into an object of cult.The pattern of sacred tree that we often encounter in mythologies and religions of many civilizations includes profound symbolic meanings and therefore informs us on belief systems of the ages when it existed. Tree of life seen as the pattern in almost all faiths has long been an important pattern for religions with and without sacred books thanks to its assumed sacredness. Due to healing aspects of fruits of olive, fig, pomegranate and date trees have been regarded as sacred items by the three great religions. The cross on which Jesus was nailed is believed to have been cut out of tree of life and the cross or crufix has always been described as a tree which ascends up to heavens. The Sephirotic tree was an inverted tree for Hebrews as sacred tree. One of the trees described as sacred and existing in paradise is Tuba tree defined as an inverted tree in Islam.Patterns related to tree of life are categorised into realistic and mythologic groups. Tree of life is believed to be protected by sacred creatures. Tree has been supported by floral forms, planets and human figures in and around it. Tree of life or differently tree of knowledge that have been mentioned in annectodes related to Adam and Eve is important for our study and therefore helps us to conceive faith ?tree of life?. Another pattern associated with tree is mother goddess. Fruit bearing of tree and birth prolificacy of mother goddess have always been correlated with each other and therefore fecundity and reproduction have closely been associated with each other as well.Studies showed that tree of life pattern has been more frequently used in weaving and loom reed weaving (carpet, kilim and prayer rug). Date palm, cypress, pomegranate and pine cone patterns which are all religiously and symbolically used in Ottoman weavings and embroideries. Patterns of tree of life have generally been described as abstracted and geometric forms just because of banning human descriptions in forms of pictures. Tree of life pattern woven on prayer rugs in mihrab is of importance in terms of union or reunion with Allah in Islam. Although patterns of tree of life are hardly used in printed textiles, Indian, Indonesian and Persian printed textiles include such patterns using techniques of block printing, kalamkari and batik.