Chapter II: The God and the Tree

Tree-spirits divisible into tree-gods and tree-demons—The gods of
antiquity subject to physical limitations, and approachable only
through their material embodiment or symbol—This embodiment
frequently a tree—The sycamores of Egypt believed to be inhabited
by deities—Developments of this conception—In Greece the tree one
of the earliest symbols of the god—The chief Greek gods in their
origin deities of vegetation—The ritual of the tree—The tree
dressed or carved to represent an anthropomorphic god—Late
survival of this custom amongst the classical nations—Its
prevalence in other countries.

The god’s own tree—Zeus and the oak—Apollo and the laurel—Aphrodite
and the myrtle—Athena and the olive—The association of a
particular god with a particular tree not known amongst the
Semites—The bodhi-trees or trees of wisdom of the Buddhas—The
sculptures of Bharhut—Brahma and the golden lotus—The holy basil
of India—The grove of Upsala, the home of Woden—Taara and the
oak—The great oak at Romove.

Gifts to the tree: in Arabia, in Egypt, in Greece—Dedication of arms,
trophies, etc.

The use of branches and wreaths in religious ceremonies—The procession
of the sacred bough in Greek festivals—The ceremonial use of
branches common throughout the East.

The tree as sanctuary and asylum 24