Trees have served as an inspiration to religions since before written history. Symbolism includes life, prosperity, and even the residence of a God. An article a recently read from the Economic Botany Journal, Why Are Rags Tired to the Sacred Trees of the Holy Land?, was written and researched by Amots Dafni (Institute of Evolution). The trees in that area have been known to have rag ceremonially tied to them for many years. But none asked why. Is it superstition or strictly religious?
It turns out it is a mixture. The research group interview 60 people who personally tied rags to trees. These people were from a mixture of religious and geographic groups. They payed special attention that they were not closely related so that they would get independent answers. A majority of people answered that it was an offering to a their respective God. This is interesting since most who said this were from a religion that looked down on tying rags to trees. The religious officials state that it is a pagan practice and is seen as people trying to remind their heavenly being that the people are still present. This is seen as disgracing to their God. Another reason was to have a healing ability when removed. The rags are said to soak of the essence of the sacred tree (like water) and dispel it into the person who wears it. This is thought to dispel sickness and overall strengthen the person. The rags can be worn anywhere on the body to have this affect.
There are many other reasons, such as to simply mark a blessed tree or put out rags for those in need. One I found interesting was that the rag was suppose to grant permission to the person to pick the trees fruit. In my mind this seems connected to appeasing the trees spirit in the sense that you are trying to gain the trees favor and not have ill luck set upon you because the tree was angry.
The reason I chose this article was because it was interesting to see how a “pagan practice”, as some have labeled it, still shows itself in religions that supposedly against the polytheistic religions. Also, other regions, such as Japan, also tie something around a tree to show it is sacred. The reason are different depending on the region/religion but the entire ideal that the tree is a guide if not a connection to an unearthly essence that they worship.
