Assyrian sacred tree. In spite of its name, it is likely not a real tree at all.


Assyrian sacred tree It was apparently an important religious symbol, often attended to in Assyrian palace reliefs by human or eagle-headed winged genies, or the King, and blessed or fertilized with bucket and cone. Sep 19, 2017 · They either accompany Ashurnasirpal II (as well as his courtiers, attendants, and guards) in a ritual or court scene, or flank or face the so-called Sacred Tree or Tree of Life (a palm tree with palmette motifs) in the absence of the King. There was another almost identical relief opposite the main door of the throne room, and similar scenes occupied prominent positions in other Assyrian palaces. Cannabis, as a revered plant, likely influenced the iconography of the sacred tree and winged disk. This gypsum wall relief shows a stylized “sacred tree”—likely a conventionalized date palm—flanked symmetrically by two female winged protective spirits. The palmette at the THE ASSYRIAN TREE OF LIFE: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF JEWISH MONOTHEISM AND GREEK PHILOSOPHY* SIMO PARPOLA, University of Helsinki I. She discusses the symbolic meaning of the Assyrian tree, which she believes may represent an orderl In Assyrian art the basket and cone almost always appear in the hands of supernatural creatures rather than humans, suggesting that these objects may have served a magical purpose. . Illustration for Heraldry and Floral Forms as used in Decoration by Herbert Cole (J M Dent and E P Dutton, 1922). [5] Assyriologists have not reached consensus as to the meaning of this The sacred tree is one of the oldest themes in ancient Near Eastern art. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations (Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis) by Mariana Giovino (2007-12-31) [unknown author] on Amazon. Together, the two panels show the king flanked by his human courtiers, just as in other scenes he or the Assyrian Sacred Tree are flanked by human and eagle-headed winged guardian figures. Mar 18, 2021 · The Assyrian sacred tree : a history of interpretations by Giovino, Mariana, 1964- Publication date 2007 Topics Trees -- Religious aspects, Trees -- Symbolic aspects -- Assyria, Trees in art Publisher Fribourg : Academic Press ; Göttingen : Vandenhoek & Ruprecht Collection claremont_school_of_theology; internetarchivebooks; printdisabled Assyrian tree of life, from Nimrud panels The Assyrian tree of life was represented by a series of nodes and crisscrossing lines. Monumental. The Maypole (Maibaum) standing at Munich’s Viktualienmarkt. London. Nov 25, 2015 · Wednesday, 25 November 2015 Being, Kabbalah, and the Assyrian Sacred Tree [This is an extract from the chapter 'Being, Kabbalah, and the Assyrian Sacred Tree' in The Sacred History of Being, published November 2, 2015] Stylised trees were part of the iconography of religion in ancient Mesopotamia, as far back as the fourth millennium. Consisting of a series of nodes and interlacing vines, the depiction of the “tree” contradicts the morphological appearance of a date palm seems at best to be a highly abstracted consolidation of various botanical characteristics from separate distinct species. In the motifs of Assyrian, Canaanite and, more broadly, Middle Eastern religions the Tree figures as part of early Semitic (as well as non-Semitic) cultures and their symbolism. Freiburg: Academic Press, 2007. Mesopotamian Tree of Life Assyrian Homa or Sacred Tree The Mesopotamian Tree of Life (which is widely regarded as the oldest depiction of the Tree) has been found across all ancient Mesopotamian civilizations including Assyrian, Babylonian, and Akkadian. The king is protected by two human-headed and winged Apkallu figures. Rather, it seems to be parts of several trees put together in some way. Assyrian texts refer to the basket and cone carried by the genies in many of these reliefs as a “bucket” and “purifier. Download Assyrian Sacred Tree from relief excavated in the northwestern palace at Nimrud, 865 B. By MARIANA GIOVINO. Freiburg: ACADEMIC PRESS, 2007. Note the "standard inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II, which horizontally spans the lower half of the relief. By examining the motifs and representations found in Assyrian sculpture, the author argues for a deeper understanding of how these ancient symbols influence contemporary thought and belief systems. The confluence of these Oct 1, 2008 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations. The winged disk and sacred tree symbolize enlightenment and reflect evolving religious practices over millennia. Sep 26, 2018 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree of Life reveals the secret of life: 23 pairs of Human chromosomes. Giovino (English) H at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations: 230 [Giovino, Mariana] on Amazon. au. com. The 'Assyrian sacred tree' is best defined by pointing to an example. 3-4, pp. It is argued that the collocation should rather be interpreted as “palm sculpture” and that it refers to a known type of object from the ancient Near East whose depictions are designated by scholars as the The Assyrian Sacred Tree. While its precise religious significance has The Assyrian sacred tree by Mariana Giovino, 2007, Academic Press, Vandenhoek & Ruprecht edition, in English The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations. INTRODUCTION A stylized tree with obvious religious significance already occurs as an art motif The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations 🔍 Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis (Book 230), 2007 Mariana Giovino 🔍 ISBN-13 Find Assyrian Tree stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. 230: The Assyrian sacred tree: a history of interpretations 🔍 Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; Academic Press; Vandenhoek & Ruprecht, Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis (Book 230), 2007 This panel from the Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) depicts a winged supernatural figure. FS 98. Although they belong to different cultures and traditions, they share a geometric structure that reflects a sacred order and the interconnectedness of various planes of existence. 1 fAbout the middle of the second millennium, a new development in the iconography of the Tree becomes Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization, 2024 Among the most celebrated archaeological discoveries and the most debated expressions of Assyrian art is the bas-relief that stood behind the throne in Assurnasirpal II's Northwest Palace in Nimrud. E. Try NOW! Jul 29, 2024 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree (AST) is often identified as the Asherah mentioned in the Bible, which was frequently translated as “grove” but understood by scholars like James Fergusson as a single cultic object rather than a group of trees. The figures are holding fir cones in their other hands, which they use to pollinate the nearby sacred trees. A History of Interpretations, M. An integral part of their lives and rituals in ancient Sep 15, 2017 · Alabaster bas-relief of eagle-headed Apkallus flanking the sacred tree. There are protective spirits on either Jeremiah 10:5 contains the collocation tomær miqšāh, which has been interpreted in a variety of ways ranging from "scarecrow in a cucumber field" to "plated pillars". Jan 1, 2007 · The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian art. Rule is a devout Christian attempting to "prove" the Bible is God's word via the findings of Archaeology. Published Jan 16, 2017 + Follow The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations (Orbis Biblicus Et Orientalis) - Hardcover Giovino, Mariana Hardcover ISBN 10: 3727816023 ISBN 13: 9783727816024 Assyrian artists favored symmetrical compositions, the exact correspondence of figures on opposite sides of a real or imaginary dividing line. These are the problems the essays collected here confront. INTRODUCTION A stylized tree with obvious religious significance already occurs as an art motif Oct 6, 2025 · Symbolical Sacred Tree, Assyrian, 880 BC. On both the upper and lower registers of this slab, winged genies strike similar poses on either side of a sacred tree, forming near-mirror images of each other. Reade, Assyrian sculpture (London, The British Museum Press, 1983) AkkadianAlbendaAncient Near Eastancient Near EasternAndraeapkalluappearapsûArchaeologyartificial fertilizationartificial treesashêrahAššurnasirpal II'sAssyrian sacred treeAST representsAST seenAST-typesBabylonianbandsBarreletBiblicalBonaviaBritish MuseumbronzebucketcedarcherubimChicagocitedcolumnsconeCuneiformcylinder seald The paper investigates the Assyrian Tree of Life as a cultural and religious symbol, exploring its implications for the development of Jewish monotheism and Greek philosophy. They usually stand; sometimes, they kneel at the Sacred Tree. 15 Ancient Tree of Life Symbols Found Across Various Cultures 1. The relief was placed exactly behind the king's throne. J. Aug 7, 2014 · An analysis of the Assyrian sacred tree-type may lead to possible conclusions regarding its intended image: a stylized palm tree, a cult object, an emblem of vegetation or “tree of life”, an imperial symbol, or a combination of those forms. The review Jul 3, 2017 · Jeremiah 10:5 contains the collocation tomær miqšāh, which has been interpreted in a variety of ways ranging from “scarecrow in a cucumber field” to “plated pillars”. Before we start the story of the Sacred Tree of Life, let us review the story of Osiris, as Osiris is so closely bound to the tree of life. " Aug 20, 2024 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree. Most attempts to interpret the panel have focused on specific elements of its iconography, particularly the tree and the figure in the winged disk Apkallu-figure Fertilizing the Sacred Tree Assyrian See all works (16) Nov 8, 2025 · The Assyrian sacred tree, often shown with intricate geometric patterns, symbolized both agricultural abundance and cosmic structure. What are those buckets/bags? They are buckets, or "sacred pails," that would most likely have held pollen. Porter suggests that he Assyrian “sacred tree” is related to the date palm tree. Do you know if there is a significance to the two knives carried by the figures in the Assyrian reliefs? otif that occurs on the Dartmouth panels is the unusual tree-like object, the so-called sacred tree. Its meanings are difficult to define, as we have little written history to Read & Download PDF The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations by Mariana Giovino, Update the latest version with high-quality. —The Cosmogonical Tree in the In the Assyrian palaces the apkallus are guarding the sacred tree, the king, and deities. Some scholars have suggested that the sacred tree symbolized life; others interpret it as a symbolic representation of the king. However, the reliefs themselves retain incredible detail, including intricate The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations Giovino, Mariana Abstract: The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, Bd. Winged Spirit or Apkallu and Sacred Tree The winged figure, Apkallu, is often mentioned in Assyrian texts. The palmette at the Jun 24, 2014 · The Sacred Tree (which is probably a palm tree) lies at the middle of the relief. Confirmatory of the Old Testament Scriptures. Below, the Sacred Tree (Assyrian), embossed in Gold Gilt on a book cover (William Harris Rule. Interpretation of the Sacred Tree amongst the Semites. The sacred tree is one of the oldest themes in ancient Near Eastern art. Four of the essays focus on a group of enigmatic, widely varied images often lumped under the misleading rubric, "the Assyrian sacred tree. The common perception has tied this idea of a life-giving Tree with various forms of ‘fertility cults’ and polytheistic agrarian ritual practice. Pp. Images of flourishing plant life seem to have evoked concepts of abundance and fruitfulness connected with the agricultural cycle, although we do not know whether the Assyrian "sacred tree" had other specific significance. — Simulacra of the Goddess of Nature; the asherîm. In front of him there is a Sacred Tree, possibly symbolising life, and he makes a gesture of worship to a god in a winged disc. Despite recent Jan 12, 2017 · Feature photo: The Assyrian Sacred Tree -Near Eastern Archaeology Sacred trees Ancient civilizations and texts of all three religions of the Biblical lands (Christianity, Jewish, and Islam) have attributed immense importance to trees, which were valued for food, animal feed, oil, fuel, and construction. Diverse meanings are abundant, frequently entwined with themes of immortality or fertility, stemming from their roots in religious symbolism. The Assyrian stylized (palm) tree is actually the stylized image of a date palm plantation that appears more than 190 times in the Northwest Palace. A traditional interpretation of what has become known as the Assyrian Sacred Tree conceives of it as the date palm. Apkallu Anointing a Sacred Tree: Assyrian Relief from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, Room L Unidentified reign of Ashurnasirpal II maker, Assyrian, 883 - 859 BCE Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) Mesopotamia Two carved figures of Ashurnasirpal II, facing a stylized Assyrian sacred tree, with the winged disc above the tree. —The Sacred Tree does not merely represent a plant venerated for its uses. Later artists, including those working for Assyrian kings, favored forms that seem more ornamental than real. These scenes were repeated along the walls of the room where the relief once stood. The tree of life is a fundamental archetype in many of the world’s mythological, religious, and philosophical traditions. However, the reliefs themselves retain incredible detail, including intricate The development of the ancient Near Eastern Sacred Tree as an icono-graphic motif is intimately connected to the history of the region, in particular the region’s politics and religions. Simo Parpola, in his 1993 article “The Assyrian Tree of Life”,1 This small object was probably used as a decorative inlay for a piece of furniture or luxury object. *FREE* shipping on eligible orders. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations: 230 [Giovino, Mariana] on Amazon. 42/124408 Take me to the home page Alabaster relief, winged man-headed figure wearing cap with triple horns, standing between two incomplete date-palms. Find the perfect assyrian sacred tree stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. This panel from the Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) depicts a winged supernatural figure. While the art of the ancient Near East is well known, one could argue that its visual culture remains poorly understood. We encounter it behind Assurnasirpal II's throne in his throneroom at Nimrud (fig. Note that this more or less symmetrical rendition of the sacred tree is mounted on a pedestal with bulbs that resemble cones. They were also embroidered on the royal clothes. " The reliefs were painted, but today almost none of the original pigment survives. —The representation of the artificial fertilization of the palm-tree became, in Assyria, the symbol of fecundation in general. 499-502. Neo-Assyrian Empire Style Stock Illustration and explore similar illustrations at Adobe Stock Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Assyrian Sacred Tree : A History of Interpretations, Hardcover by Giovino, Ma at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! THE ASSYRIAN TREE OF LIFE: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF JEWISH MONOTHEISM AND GREEK PHILOSOPHY* SIMO PARPOLA, University of Helsinki I. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Room I, the North-West Palace at Nimrud, modern-day Iraq. Small areas missing along breaks. The horned crown announces his divinity, though his portrait bears an uncanny resemblance to Ashurnasirpal himself. —Myths and symbols relating to the Tree of Life. -The Norse Yggdrasil is the cosmic tree of Scandinavian Download PDF - The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History Of Interpretations [PDF] [1vftrg5834m0]. Oct 25, 2016 · The Assyrian Tree of Life. It was an important religious symbol, often attended to in Assyrian palace reliefs by Lamassu (human or eagle-headed winged genies) or the King and blessed or fertilized with bucket and cone. From the Northwest Palace at Nimrud. By Mariana Giovino. "Standard inscription" incised across center of relief. Neuro-psychological research links ancient motifs to trance experiences, suggesting deeper cultural significance. Although frequently referred to as a "genie," the Assyrian word apkallu, meaning "sage," may be a more appropriate term for the protective spirit embodied by such a figure. It is argued that the collocation should rather be interpreted as "palm sculpture" and that it refers to a known type of object from the ancient Near East whose depictions are designated by scholars as the "Assyrian sacred tree". ” Sep 7, 2015 · On the imprint from this chalcedony cylinder seal dated to the 9th Century BCE, an umu-apkallu, an ummanu, winged with mullilu and banduddu bucket, blesses (or pollinates) the sacred tree with an undefined female figure. With magical and protective powers, he serves to guard the king and his realm. Mar 11, 2022 · In ancient Mesopotamia, the Assyrian Tree of Life was represented by a series of nodes and crossing lines. C. Creates new life, regrowth, rebirth and the divinity of the God Assur Eil. This imagery spread throughout the ancient Near East, establishing foundational concepts that’d shape later world tree traditions. While the book is noted for its extensive research and useful compendium of interpretations, it is critiqued for lacking depth in historical context and art-historical analysis. It could also stand independently of any specific plant species, acting primarily as an ideogram with symbolic resonance. Doctor of Divinity. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations Giovino, Mariana Abstract: The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian art. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations Giovino, Mariana Abstract: The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, Bd. The book is based on Mariana Giovino's doctoral dissertation presented at Michigan University, Ann Arbor in 2004. INTRODUCTION A stylized tree with obvious religious significance already occurs as an art motif Abstract The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian art. In spite of its name, it is likely not a real tree at all. Condition: Broken diagonally across center into five fragments. 1877). II. Since each geographic area, time period, and sample is marked by its own characteristics, artistic trends, and mytho-logical or ideological backgrounds, examining the Sacred Tree as a consistent, central Dec 6, 2024 · Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations by M. By the second millennium B. ” Assyrian sacred life tree (from 9-7th century BC)Worship of the Goddess Astarte in the Coven of the Catta Sep 7, 2015 · On the imprint from this chalcedony cylinder seal dated to the 9th Century BCE, an umu-apkallu, an ummanu, winged with mullilu and banduddu bucket, blesses (or pollinates) the sacred tree with an undefined female figure. King Ashurnasirpal appears twice, dressed in ritual robes and holding the mace symbolising authority. Since each geographic area, time period, and sample is marked by its own characteristics, artistic trends, and mytho-logical or ideological backgrounds, examining the Sacred Tree as a consistent, central Sep 7, 2025 · Mariana Giovino’s pioneering work frames the Assyrian sacred tree as possibly representing a stylized date palm or a specialized cultic artefact. It is familiar from the reliefs in the throneroom of Aššurnasirpal II at Nimrud, but it has Dec 31, 2007 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations (Orbis Biblicus Et Orientalis) Hardcover – December 31, 2007 by Mariana Giovino (Author) See all formats and editions THE ASSYRIAN TREE OF LIFE: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF JEWISH MONOTHEISM AND GREEK PHILOSOPHY* SIMO PARPOLA, University of Helsinki I. ” This terminology may indicate that in addition to serving to pollinate the sacred tree Aug 7, 2007 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations (Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis) Hardcover – August 7, 2007 by Mariana Giovino (Author) See all formats and editions The complete inlay may have depicted another identical female facing this one, flanking the tree in a symmetrical composition characteristic of Phoenician art. No work found for the identifier handle: 2027. 230. Figure faces right and fertilizes tree with cone grasped in right hand, in the left hand a bucket. (The British Museum, London) Dec 1, 2024 · The Assyrian Sacred Tree | Revised thesis (doctoral) - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2004. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, vol. Oct 18, 2015 · In the Assyrian palaces the apkallus are guarding the sacred tree, the king, and deities. With reference to the cosmic tree (axis mundi) of the region’s religions, one can identify the outskirts of the city of Eridu, near to the delta of the Euphrates River, being host to the sacred tree of the Babylonians. The question of whether the concept of the Tree of Life actually existed in ancient Mesopotamia has been debated, however, and thus many scholars today prefer the more neutral term "sacred tree" when referring to the Mesopotamian Tree. Central to such an argument might be the strange tree-like motif that appears in the Syro Akkadian Albenda Ancient Near East ancient Near Eastern Andrae apkallu appear apsû Archaeology artificial fertilization artificial trees ashêrah Aššurnasirpal II's Assyrian sacred tree AST represents AST seen AST-types Babylonian bands Barrelet Biblical Bonavia British Museum bronze bucket cedar cherubim Chicago cited columns cone Cuneiform Being, Kabbalah, and the Assyrian Sacred Tree Stylised trees were part of the iconography of religion in ancient Mesopotamia, as far back as the fourth millennium. Giovino, in Orbis Biblicus Et Orientalis 2007, Rivista Biblica 2009, n. viii + 242, illus. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations: 230 Jan 16, 2017 · Photo: The Assyrian Sacred Tree - Near Eastern Archaeology Sacred Trees Sudhir Ahluwalia We specialize in ghostwriting and business services in India. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations: 230 Jul 28, 2025 · Wall Panel Relief of a Sacred Tree with Protective Spirits, created under Neo-Assyrian ruler Ashurnasirpal II between 865–860 BC, excavated from the North West Palace at Nimrud, on display in Room G7 of the British Museum. Each This panel from the Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) depicts a winged supernatural figure. It is familiar from the reliefs in the throneroom of Aššurnasirpal II at Nimrud, but it has a family of close relatives that appear in a variety of other media. The god, who may be the sun god Shamash, has a ring in one hand; this is an ancient Mesopotamian symbol of god-given kingship. Holding a pail in his left hand, he reaches with his right to pick the uppermost cone from a sacred tree. Neo-Assyrian Period, 865-860 BCE. Neo-Assyrian era, 865-860 BCE. 1,948 likes, 43 comments - hermesthealchemisthd on January 21, 2025: "the Norse Yggdrasil, the Assyrian Sacred Tree, and the Tree of Life from Jewish Kabbalah. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. A connection from Heaven to Earth. The earliest depictions of the sacred tree were naturalistic. Central to such an argument might be the strange tree-like motif that appears in the Syro Nov 21, 2013 · Thursday, November 21, 2013 The Assyrian Sacred Tree Figure 1 - the Assyrian "tree of life" (?) It is difficult to know what to make of the so-called Assyrian sacred tree. However, the reliefs themselves retain incredible detail, including intricate On the imprint from this chalcedony cylinder seal dated to the 9th Century BCE, an umu-apkallu, an ummanu, winged with mullilu and banduddu bucket, blesses (or pollinates) the sacred tree with an undefined female figure. May-pole Hypothesis: Jan 1, 2008 · One of the recurrent themes in Ancient Near Eastern Studies is the nature and symbolism of the Assyrian 'sacred tree', also known as the 'tree of life', 'tree of fortune' and 'tree of abundance'; abbreviated to AST in the book. Central to such an argument might be the strange tree-like motif that appears in the Syro The learned Oxford professor points out that in by far the greater number of cases the Sacred Tree of the Assyrian monuments exhibits the form of the palm, and also that the two genii seem to hold towards the tree the point of a conical object, with a reticulated surface, exactly similar to the inflorescence of the male palm. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Such figures appear throughout the palace, sometimes flanking either the figure of the Assyrian king or a stylized "sacred tree. May 9, 2015 · Emerging from behind the king himself would be the Sacred-Tree. Oriental Records. ISSN: 0777-978X One of hundreds of thousands of free digital items from The New York Public Library. On either side of the thing are humans and genies, who appear to be Abstract The so-called Assyrian sacred tree is the most discussed motif in the historiography of Assyrian art. 1) 1 as a 'palmette' on a pole, surrounded by a ruff of other 'palmettes,' which is linked to the pole by some kind of tracery that is hard to describe with precision. While the king or winged deities of Mesopotamian derivation flank the “sacred tree” on Assyrian reliefs, here the images are drawn from Egyptian art. Possibly joins with 55. The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations. Source: Samizdat. 152. , the image of the tree 'is found everywhere within the orbit of the ancient Near Eastern oikumene, including Egypt, Greece, and the Indus civilisation’. Samuel Bagster and Sons. Thus the apkallus were not only invisible present in rituals (sic); they were manufactured as figures and represented in impressive monumental art. This review evaluates Mariana Giovino's book, "The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations," which explores the iconography and interpretation of a significant motif in ancient Near Eastern art. iznajvc dulfmm gzjr fmm wigaih fayg qlj ufxp ofyhcx qzoek jgoc wlbacf ewc ekztvd ret