Celtic Tree Symbols Information Celtic Jewelry Books

TREE	LETTER	SYMBOL	MEANINGS
BIRCH	B		Beginnings, change, renewal
ROWAN	L		Insight, protection, blessings
ALDER	N		Guardian, foundation
WILLOW	F		Intuition, flexibility
ASH	S		Ambition, transitions
HAWTHORN	H		Protection, healing, spiritual energy
OAK	D		Strength, endurance, optimism, self-confidence
HOLLY	T		Guidance, courage, unity
HAZEL	C		Creativity, wisdom, knowledge of secrets
APPLE	Q		Eternity, love, rebirth
VINE	M		Spiritual growth, inner journey
IVY	G		Growth, development, confronting the spiritual
REED	Ng		Healing, health, adaptation
BLACKTHORN	St		Authority, control, dependency
ELDER	R		Awareness, accomplishment
FIR,ELM,PINE	A		Perspective, rising above
GORSE	O		Hope, perseverance
HEATHER	U		Passion, generosity
POPLAR	E		Endurance, communication/ speech
YEW	I		Endings, change, death

The most central Celtic symbol, perhaps, is the Tree of Life, which seems to have represented to the early Celts (as many other ancient western and eastern civilisations) a symbol of wholeness, representing an image of the Great Mother, with roots sunk deep into the life-giving earth (feminine symbol), but whose branches reach high up into the sky (heavens, spirituality).
The oak tree was especially important to the Celtic people, as it represented the centre of the universe, or the doorway to the underworld (the English word 'door', in fact, derives from the Celtic word for oak: daur). The oak was sacred to the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis.

The Celtic 'tree alphabet', known as the Ogham alphabet, was named after the Celtic god of Literature Ogma ('Sun Face'), who was believed to have created the 20 letters that represented the main sacred Celtic trees. The Ogham Alphabet was used as a tool of divination by the sect of Celtic priests commonly known as Druids, who believed that the human race originally descended from trees. The word 'druid' derives from the root deru, meaning 'wood' or 'tree', as does the word 'dryad' (tree-spirit) - a type of Nature Fairy.

CELTIC ORACULAR TREE ALPHABET
with tree symbols and meanings

This month's
Ogham birthday pendant

MARCH - Ash
- see the others here!

Silver Tree of Life Pendant

Silver Tree of Life Earrings

Sterling Silver Diamond Cut Tree of Life Pendant

CELTIC ROOTS
T-shirt
Kids, Teens & Adults

The sacred trees of the Celts.
The Celtic tradition, art and religion are rich in tree symbols. Trees were sacred to the Celts, who depended on them for shelter, warmth, furniture, tools and weapons. Different trees had different powers and traits, according to their various uses and levels of importance, as well as their geographical position and physical characteristics. In Celtic creation stories, moreover, trees were said to be the ancestors of mankind.

'The Sacred Elm' © Rose Clarkson

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TREE OF LIFE
Belt Buckle

These handcrafted Celtic Wedding rings from Allcladdagh.com are engraved with the entire Ogham alpahabet and are available in silver, white gold or platinum. Click here to see the wide range of Allcladdagh's wedding rings and other Celtic jewelry.

Ogham
Wedding Rings

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Clogau Gold
Tree of Life Necklace

Clogau Gold
Tree of Life Earrings