Myth and symbolism of wood species

Apple:

In all Euro-Asian cultures it stands for life, love and fertility.

Birch:

In Northern and Eastern Europe it is the tree of love, life and happiness.

Pear:

Wooden pears were once considered the dwellings of demons and witches who used the bark of the tree for black magic. In the Middle Ages they served as love oracles, with young men questioning the apple tree and young girls the pear tree. The pear tree is strongly anchored in popular belief.

Beech:

It was once said to have the ability to predict, among other things it was used to predict the winter weather: If an axe is hacked into a beech trunk at the beginning of November and the wound remains dry, a harsh winter can be expected. The Germanic runic alphabet was scratched into beech sticks. Letter - "Staff" vertical main line of the rune.

Rowan Tree / Mountain Ash:

Among the Celtic druids and in Germanic mythology it was considered a lucky charm.

Yew:

Tree of death. Symbol of peace of the dead, at the same time symbol of eternal life because of the lush green needles; in Germanic mythology a means of protection against magic and evil spirits.

Oak:

For different peoples a holy tree (holy oaks could not be cut down), oracle tree, symbol for steadfastness, virtue and truth.

Ash:

As the world ash "Yggdrasill", in the Germanic Edda it contains all creatures, including humans; in its fullness of life it is a symbol of life, strength and closeness to heaven; in many cases ash wood is also said to have a healing effect.

Spruce:

Formerly regarded as a salvage, preserving, female tree, which possessed the ability to take over diseases from humans, so that these became healthy again.

Hornbeam / Ironwood:

Belonged to the magical woods of the wise women of the Middle Ages.

Pine:

Symbol of longevity, endurance and modesty.

Cherry:

The red fruits were regarded as an attribute of love and passion, so the church reviled the fruit as impure and forbidden. The cherry tree was once considered to belong to the moon. Anyone who dared to watch the elves and fairies dancing under the blossoming cherry tree during a full moon was threatened by disaster. The cherry is strongly anchored in popular belief: for example, the first bathing water of a newborn child was poured on a cherry tree so that the child would become beautiful. On 4 December, the Barbara day, the Barbara branches are cut according to old custom. Flowers and fruits are considered marriage oracles.

Larch:

In some areas the protective tree of the house is considered to be anti-magical.

Lime:

Was sacred to the Slavs, Celts and Teutons and served as a tree of justice and judgment, but also a tree of the people and joy (village lime tree, dance tree), as well as maternity. At the same time the lime tree is regarded as 'lignum sacrum' (holy wood). Many statues of saints were carved from lime tree.

Poplar:

According to legend, the cross of Christ was made of poplar wood. Since then its leaves have been trembling.

Fir:

Symbol of beauty, strength and greatness, bearer of the divine light. In pagan belief, fir branches symbolize the victory of light over darkness, symbolic Christmas tree, although sung of as a Christmas tree, it actually means spruce.

Elm:

In Slavic folklore, the elm is considered antidemonic. Devices made of elm wood are supposed to keep evil away. In ancient times, elm trees stood for death and mourning. In ancient Norse mythology, 'Ask' (ash) and 'Embala' (elm) were the tribal parents of mankind.

Walnut:

In ancient Greece the walnut was the food of the gods, and it was also considered a lucky charm and symbol of fertility. According to Augustine it is a symbol of Christ. Strongly anchored in the old folk belief: e.g. many nuts bring many boys. In contrast, from about the Middle Ages, the symbolic power of the walnut changed and it was attributed that it would bring bad luck.

Willow:

In ancient mythologies as a symbol of fertility and vitality, in the Middle Ages a ghost and witch tree. A tree for many superstitions.

Plum:

Oracle tree in dreams, in some regions also marriage oracle. According to popular belief it is suitable for the transmission of diseases.

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