ash world tree

8/9/2019 Ash World Tree

1/18

THE WORLD ASH TREE:

THE MYTHICAL ORIGINS OF THE

CHRISTMAS TREE

Robert N. St. Clair

University of Louisville

INTRODUCTIONThe Nordic creation myths (Young, 1966) have been documented by Snorri Sturluson, an

Icelandic historian, poet, and politician who lived around 1179-1241 AD. He was the author of

the Younger Edda, which is comprised of a narrative of Norse Mythology (Gylfaginning), a

book of poetic language (Sk


2/18

the world. It is the Yew tree that stands high above others and shelters all of the other worlds.

The story of those worlds and how they relate to Nordic mythological figures is the story of the

Well of the Wyrd (Bates, 1988; Thorsson, 1988).

Old Norse Account of the YggdrasilAsk veit eg standa,

heitir Yggdrasill,

hr bamur, ausinnhvta auri;

aan koma dggvar

r er dala falla,

stendur yfir grnn

Urarbrunni.

An ash I know stands,

Its name is Yggdrasil,

An immense tree, covered overBy the white sand.

Thence come the dew

That falls in the valleys,

It stands ever-green

Above the well of Urdal.

THE NINE WORLDS

When the ice of the last ice age began to melt, it revealed a barren and rugged land with flowin

rivers, forests, and plains. New animal life, reindeer, aurochs, wolves, bears, and foxes,

migrated to the north. Those who hunted them on the tundra were able to retreat to their tribal

homes in the lush valleys below. However, they could not retreat from the Frost Giants, the

bitter storms that came down from the high mountains. Nor were they able to avoid the wildbeasts that lurked in the forests or the strange sea monsters that wrecked their ships. For help,

they turned to their own gods. They sought help from their All Father, Odin, the first of the

Aesir gods whose realm was made up of nine worlds. The Aesir gods and goddesses lived in a

realm known as Asgardr, the realm of the mind, of myne (memory) and hugh (intellect). This

home of the Nordic spirits contained many halls and houses and Valhalla was the main hall. It

was where Odin rules with his consort and equal, Freyja, the All Mother. Odin had a special

place (Hildskjalf) in this realm from which he could see all of the worlds (Idavollr) beneath him

There were others gods or Aesir living in this realm. There were the spirits of the dead warrior

who resided in Valhall. There were twp temples, one for the gods (Gladshimr) and one for thegoddesses (Vinglf).


3/18

The Realm of Asgardrthe realm of the mind with its memory (myne) and intellect (hugh)

Odin The All Father

Freyja The All Mother

Gladshimr

The Temple of the Gods

Vinglf The Temple of the Goddesses

HildskjalfA special place where Odin could see the whole world

(Idavollr) beneath him

Idavollr

The mythical plain of Ida, the field of continuity, renewing,

and rejuvenation. It is located in the middle of the Realm of

Asgardr.

Beifrost

The icy fiery rainbow bridge guarded by Heimdallr. It

connects the world of humans (Midgard) to the world of the

gods (Asgardr)

Lojossalheimr

This is the world of the light elves and it contains substrata

of halls of white light. This is where the brightness of the

human intellect (hugh) is derived.

In the center of the Ash tree, one finds the Midgardr or Midgard. It is where the humans live. I


4/18

is the center of the Quaternity with worlds to the north, south, east, and west.

Asgard World of the Aesir

AlfhamWorld of the Light Alfs. This is the home of intellect. It

contains many abodes (halls) with various strata of light.

Midgard

The Middle World, the World of the Humans.

Symbolically, it represents the ego, consciousness, and the

lower self. The Midgard provides stability between the

Asgard and the Lojossalhimr. It is surrounded by

impassable waters. The M idle Earth is a fictitious land

created by J. R. R. Tolkien and is based on the Midgard.

Muspell

Tthe World of the Giants. This is where one finds thefiery sparks of life and all forms of positive energy. It is

the balance between the heat of Muspell and the cold of

Niflheim that allows humans to live in the Midgard.

Jutenheim

World of the Jutens. This is the realm of constant change

and evolution. The winds of the east bring with it

destruction and sudden that that may either result in good

or evil. There are two kinds of Giants: rocks and frost.


5/18

They menace the humans in Midgard and the gods in

Asgard. The chief city in Jutenheim is Utgard. It is ruled

by King Thrym (Uproar).

Vanaheim

The world of the Vanir. Here one finds the gods and

goddesses of fertility. Here reside the seasons, the

harvests, fruition, growth, and the cycles of life.

NiflheimnThe World of Mist and Ice. It is the origin of all waters

and is enveloped in ice. It is the land of Mists.

Svartheimr

The world of the Dark Alfs. This is the world that

represents the formative aspects of being. Human beings

take form and shape in this realm. Everything that is

formed in this realm is manifested in the Midgard.

Hel

The world of the Dead. This is the underworld. Souls

come here to undergo rebirth to another level of

reincarnation. The goddess Hel is the daughter of Loki.

One cannot escape her powers without outside help and

this is why ancestral worship is so important. Thegrandmothers and the grandfathers in one's lineage assist a

reborn soul in his or her escape from Hel.

These worlds are connected by rainbows of fire and ice. They are the ribbons of light that allow

the gods to visit their worlds.

THE WELL OF THE WYRD

One has to view the world tree as the Axis Mundi of the Nordic cosmology. The top of the tre

is where the gods and goddesses lived. When one looks up into the night sky, one sees the

North Star (Polaris). All of the other stars circle around it. It remains motionless within the

traveling stars and planets that make up the night sky. At the time when the Nordic myths wer

created, Polaris was the Pole Star. Every 26,000 years, a new Pole Star appears. It was Thurba

around 50,000 BC and it will be Vega in 14,000 AD. Nevertheless, Polaris was the star that

comprises the Nordic myths. Symbolically, this is the star on the top of the Christmas tree. It i

the home of the gods. When one places an angel on top of a Christmas tree, one has capturedthe significance of this real of the Aesir.

At the other end of the axis mundi is the bottom of the cosmic world tree. It consists of tree

huge roots that represent the past (Wyrd), the present (Verdandi) and the future (Skuld). They

are represented as three sisters who guard the wells. In the Zauberflote (the Magic Flute) by

Mozart, these are the dritte Dame die Nchte (the three ladies of the night). In Nordic literature

they are called the Norns, the sisters of the Wyrd.

Wyrd That which has become


6/18

Vernandi That which is being

Skuld That which will become.

What is important about the Well of Wyrd is that it figures prominently in the casting of the

Runes (Thorsson, 1988). The Well of the Wyrd represents the past. One lives by the past. The

present is determined by thoughts, beliefs, and actions done in the past. The future is planned i

accordance with one's record of accomplishments created in the past (Gundarson, 1993) .

Hence, these sisters are called the Sisters of the Wyrd, the sisters of the past. When one caststhe runes, they are cast into the Well of the Wyrd. For in the past one finds all of the cosmic

knowledge from the beginning of time. It is by delving into the past that these roots of the

Yggdrasil are able to keep the World Tree replenished.

The Well of the Wyrd is controlled by the world of the Vanir, the gods and goddesses of

fertility. The second of the three roots goes into the Well of Mimir in the land of the giants,

Jotunheimr or the Frost Giants. The third root goes into the Well of Helvegamar, the

underground spring of Nilfheim where the terrible serpent (Nidhoggr) is coiled around the stat

of the treat constantly eating at the roots of the Yggdrasil. This is part of the Underworld

presided over by the goddess Hel. Loki was one of the three springs who resided over life and

death. Hel is her daughter and controls the Wellof Helvegamar. The roots of the Yggdrasil

produced a magic fluid (aurr), a kind of lunar blood that lies at the base of all elixir myths.

Hence, the Yggdrasil is seen as a universal mother, the source of unborn souls. The first man

(Askr) was born from the Ash tree (Asc) and the first woman (Embla) was created from the El

tree. It was Odin who game them both the breath of life.

Roots of the

Yggdrasil Sources Home or Destination

Wyrd River of PastWell of Wyrd

Vanaheim

Vernandi River of PresentWell of Mimir

Jutenheim

Skuld River of FutureWell of Helvelgamar

Niflheim

CASTING THE RUNES

The Runes are alphabetic symbols that are that were used by Nordic and Germanic tribes in

Northern Europe around the 3 BCE. These pictographs were used to represent the forces and

objects of nature (Thorsson, 1989). It is sometimes called the FUTHARK after the first 6 letter


7/18

of the alphabet . What is important about these Runes is that they were used to symbolize the

cosmology of the World Tree. Each of the symbols in this alphabet had a special meaning.

These will be discussed within the context of the Ash World Tree.

Rune Symbol Place in Cosmic Tree Nordic Meaning Comments

The Iwaz rune is a complex symbol representing the World Tree. Iwaz (Yew Tree)

A representation of Heaven, Hell and Earth with the Quaternity surrounding Earth The vertical

axis represents the axis mundi. At the top is the world of the spirits, Aesir. At the bottom is He

In the center is the Midgard.

Rune SymbolPlace in

Cosmic Tree

Nordic

MeaningComments


8/18

The Iwaz rune is a

complex symbol

representing the

World Tree.

Iwaz (Yew Tree)

A representation of

Heaven, Hell and

Earth with the

Quaternity

surrounding Earth

The vertical axis

represents the axis

mundi. At the top is

the world of the

spirits, Aesir. At the

bottom is Hel. In

the center is the

Midgard.

Midgard, Earth

Gebo, G

Gebo stands for

gift.

This is a balanceamidst the

Quaternity of Fire,

Ice, Growth, and

Evolution.

The Realm of

Asgardr.

Ansuz, A

Ansuz is associated

with the Aesir,

Odin, and the wind

The home of Odin

and Freyja. The

Hall of the Dead,

Valhalla.


9/18

The Ream of the

Ljossalheim

Wunjo, W

Wunjo is the rune of

joy and peace.

This is the home of

the White Alfs.

Here is where there

are strata of light

representing

Intellect (Hugh).

The Realm of the

Svartalheim

Kenaz, K

Kenaz represents

the torch.

This is the home of

the Dark Alfs.

The Realm of Hel

Hagalaz, H

This rune stands for

hail.

This is the home of

the Dead, Hel.

The Quaternity surrounding the Midgard

The Realm of the

Jotunheim

EAST

Thurisaz, TH

The third rune is

associated with giants

(thurs).

The world of giants

and Etins.


10/18

The Realm of the

Vanaheim

WEST

Fehu, F

The rune of Freya and

her brother Frey. It

stands for fee and gold.

The world of the Vanir

The Realm of Niflheim

NORTH

Uruz, U

This rune stands for

strength and health. It is

associated with a

horned animal calledthe auroch

The world of ice and

mist

The Realm of

Muspellheim

SOUTH

Raido, R

This is the rune of

jouneying, or rides.

The home of the sun.

Where the sun rides.

Other Runes of Interest

Nauthiz, N

Nauthizstands for the

strength of

need

Berkano, B

Berkano standsfor the birch

goddess and is

used for fertility

and birthing


11/18

Isa, I

Isa is the

rune

associated

with ice.

Dagaz, D

Dagaz means

day.

Jera, Y. The

rune jera

stands for

year.

Othila, O

Othila is the

rune associated

with inheritance

Eihwaz, EI

This rune is

associatedwith the yew

Ingwaz, NG

Ingwaz is the

rune of the godIng

Perth, P

Perth means

fruit to some,

but scholars

feel its

meaning is

unclear.

Laguz, L

Laguz is therune associated

with water.


12/18

Algiz, Z

Algiz is a

rune of

protection or

defense

Mannaz, M

Mannaz stands

for man

Sowilo, S

Sowilo is the

rune

associated

with the sun

Ehwaz, E

This rune means

horse.

Tiwaz, T

Tiwaz stands

for the war

god Tyr. This

rune was

carved on

weapons to

bring victory.Tuesday is

names after

this God,

Tiwes daeg.

The Celts also had a system of Runes (Murray, 1988) in which the FUTHARKS are highly

symbolic of the various kinds of trees in the forest. They also had a system of divination with

the runes, but their value structures differed significantly. Could the runes have been borrowedfrom the Celts? It appears that the opposite is true. The Celts once dominated the whole of

Europe. They were called the Galatians in the Near East and the Gaul in France. If this were a

part of their tradition, it would not be limited to the Northwestern areas of Europe, the home o

the Vikings.


13/18

THE NORDIC QUATERNITY

Within the Nordic Quaternity, the Midgard formed the very center of the four cardinal directio

which are located horizontally from earth (Midgard). There are nine levels or nights that

separate the real of the Aesir (the home of the spirits) from Niflheim, the realm which is just

above the Underworld, the land of the dead. A soul must travel through these nine levels in

order to attain immortality in Valhalla. On the horizontal level of the Quaternity, however, one

finds a balance among the four directions.

Kingdom of the North (Helheimr - home of ice and mist)

Kindom of the South (Muspellheimr - home of the fire giants).

Kingdom of the West (Vanaheimr - fertility)

Kingdom of the East (Jotunheimr - land of change and evolution)

The Middle Earth is so named because it is in the middle of opposite qualities. It also happens

to be in the middle of the Yggdrazil, but that is not the whole rationale for its existence. It is in

the Midgard that one finds a balance between fire and ice and it is in the Midgard that one finda balance between growth and change.

THE ANIMALS OF THE YGGDRASIL

Four deer run across the branches of the world tree and eat its buds. They represent the four

winds. At the very top of the tree one finds a hawk (Veldroinir) perched on the head of a wise


14/18

eagle. It is the Eagle that flaps its wings and causes the winds to blow. At the root of the tree i

a serpent (Nidhoggr) that gnaws at its roots. Ratatosk, a squirrel, runs up and down the tree and

exchanges insults between the wise eagle and the serpent. The eagle and serpent motif is very

common in creation myths. Their significance as opposites needs to be further explicated.

Finally, there are four stags (Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr, and Durathror) that are constantly eating th

leaves of the ash tree. These are the symbolic animals that constitute the cosmology of the

Yggdrasil.

TANNENBAUM

The Christmas tree comes right out of the Nordic tradition. It was borrowed from Nordic

mythology as were other aspects of European culture. For example, the days of the week show

both Roman and Nordic pagan roots.

English Old English GermanicLatin

Sunday sunnandaeg Sonntag Dies Solis

Monday monandaeg Montag Dies Lunae

TuesdayTiwesdaeg (Day

of Tiwes)Dienstag Dies Martis

WednesdayWodnesdaeg (Day

of Odin)Mittwoch Dies Mercurii


15/18

Thursday

(Day of Thor)Donnerstag Dies Joves

Friday Frigedaeg (Day

of Freyja)Freitag Dies Veneris

Saturday Saeternesdaeg

(Day of Saturn)Samstag Dies Saturni

There are several interesting things to note about this nomenclature. Many of the days fo the

week reflect the Nordic cosmology of the Ash Tree.

Tuesday (Tiwes day) Nordic Goddess Tiwes

Wednesday (from Wotans Day, Germanic for Odin)

Thursday (Thor's day from Nordic god Thor)

Friday (German Freitag from Nordic goddess Freyja)

Saturday (day of Saturn, the original sun)

Sunday (Sun day, the modern sun after 9,500 BC)

The Christmas tree is a Nordic visual metaphor of their creation myth. It represents their

cosmology. Many have assumed it to be of Western Germanic origin, the Rhineland (Hertha,

1944; Foley, 1960). Needless to say, the British have a different account of this. They argue th

Saint Boniface, a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, England not only established the Christian

churches in France and Germany, but in the 7th century came across a group of pagans who

were about to sacrifice a child to the god Thor. To stop the sacrifice and to save the child's life

he felled the tree with one might blow of his fist. In its place grew a tiny fir, a Tree of Life.

This, according to medieval legend was the story of the first Christmas tree. The Germans

admitted the feats of St. Boniface, but claimed that it was Martin Luther (1483-1546) who

decorated the first Christmas tree. Followers of the Druids claim that they were the first to

decorate the oak trees with golden apples for their winter solstice festivities. Regardless of

which group claims credit for this visual metaphor, it appears that only the Vikings embedded

themselves in a creation myth that closely resembles that of the Christmas tree. However, they

called their tree, the Ash World Tree.


16/18

The star on the top of the Christmas tree represents the world of Asgardr where the gods and

goddesses lived. It is at the top of the axis mundi of the world. When one is in the northern

hemisphere and looks straight upward, one sees the North Pole star. The star that was there at

the time of this creation myth was Polaris. Every 26,000 years a new Pole Star appears. Hence

Polaris is no longer the Pole Star. However, its symbol still lives as the Christmas star.

At the bottom of the Christmas three are the three roots that feed it with nourishment and wate

These roots symbolically delve into the Well of the Wyrd, the Well of Mimir, and the Well of

Helvelgamar. In modern times, the Christmas tree stand represents these roots.

On the Christmas tree one finds Christmas bulbs which represent the nine worlds of the World

Ash Tree. These bulbs are placed vertically with the ones on top representing the Realm of the

Gods and the one at the bottom symbolizing the Realm of Hell. In the center is the Midgard,

Earth. It is surrounded by worlds in four directions, the Nordic Quaternity.

The ribbons that surround the Christmas tree symbolize the rainbow roads of fire and ice that

connect these nine worlds. The icicles that are placed on a tree also symbolize the fact that ear

is located between fire and ice, resulting in icicles.

These traditions of the World tree differed from the Tree of Life that one finds in Jewish and

Hebraic traditions. They posit a different story, the involution and the evolution of the soul

through the 33 levels of ascension and descension. They do not have the 9 levels of


17/18

reincarnation associated with the World Tree. They do not have a balanced Midgard surrounde

by a Quaternity. They do not have their roots delving into the earth in the metaphorical traditio

of the Nordic cosmology. What they do have is the arrival of the soul, its passage through life,

and its return to the spirit world. What they have is a different kind of visual metaphor, The

Tree of Life.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Visual metaphors are far more common than one realizes. The metaphor of the Ash World Tre

was selected as a visual metaphor because it comes from a strong Nordic tradition that still

lingers in modern times. The Christmas tree is a relic of that tradition. It is a visual metaphor

that has been borrowed by Christianity and remodeled into a new symbol of eternal renewal.

This is what happens when one borrows cultural symbols. However, it is wrong to claim that i

was a visual metaphor invented by Saint Boniface during 7th century. It was a visual metaphor

that already existed among the countries of the north. It could be found in the writings of the

runes that go back several millennia. Its origins speak of a different time and place.Anyone who works with visual metaphors must become deeply involved in social and cultural

history. One cannot explain such visual symbols without such traditions because the symbols

emerged from those traditions. They constitute the heritage of those symbols. The study of

mythology reminds one that modern scholars are still engaged in revealing the profundity of

these traditions.

REFERENCES

Bates, Brian. The Way of Wyrd: Tales of an Anglo-Saxon Sorcer. NY: Berkeley Books. 1988.

Foley, Daniel J. The Christmas Tree. Philadelphia. Chilton Company. 1960.

Gundarson, Keldulf. Teutonic Religion, Fold Belief and Practices of the Northern Tradition. St

Paul, MN: Llewelyn Publications. 1993.

Hertha, Pauli. The Story of the Christmas Tree. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 1944.

Murray, Liz and Colin. The Celtic Tree Oracle: A System of Divination. New York: St. Martin

Press. 1988.

Thorsson, Edred. At the Well of Wyrd: A Handbook of Runic Divination. York Beach, MaineSamuel Weiser, Inc. 1988.

Thorsson, Edred. A Book of Troth. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications. 1989.

Young, Jean I. The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturloson Tales from Norse Mythology. Berkeley:

University of California Press. 1966.


18/18

ash world tree

Documents