Wall Tapestries And Wall Hangings For Your Home

The Tree of Life wall tapestry is one of the most popular tapestries and wall hangings.

When first woven by William Morris, the design of the Tree of Life which existed as a Celtic version. It was transformed into a version that had features which William Morris possessed in his other works from the Victorian era.

This tapestry is popular because of its beauty, and its powerful and evocative symbolism.

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In the traditional interpretation of the 19th century wall hanging by Morris, the Tree of Life tapestry symbolizes the tree in the Garden of Eden which provides immortality or eternal life.

But what does this really mean?

The Tree Of Life provides the power of immortality in the Garden of Eden. There is another tree which bore forbidden fruit, known as the tree of knowledge.

When Adam and Even ate from the forbidden tree of knowledge, and possessed knowledge of good and evil, they were banished from the Garden of Eden.

In this interpretation, immortality was meant for the deities and humans of purity but the disobeying and taking of fruit from the tree of knowledge led to Adam and Eve’s banishment.

William Morris Tree of Life

In William Morris’ Tree of Life tapestries, the focus is on the beauty of this tree and the details of the forest floor with its bountiful flowers, as well as the flowers of the tree itself.

The meaning of this Tree of Life is usually the traditional biblical interpretation.

It can also be interpreted with the more modern meaning of the tree representing the interconnectedness of all living things and the beauty and  wisdom of nature.

This tapestry, inspired by Morris & Co depicts flowers and foliage, and renders the foliage in a striking display of form and color, There is, as in many Morris tapestries, a sense of movement as the acanthus shaped leaves seem to move as they interact with each other.

The blues and greens as well as the yellows, apricots and oranges in this piece makes this piece a symbol of joy and abundance, and a celebration of Spring and nature in its own right, in addition to the heavier and more complex meanings of the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life tapestries by Morris come in a variety of variations.

See the entire range of Tree of Life Tapestries here

The bounty and beauty of the tree in nature and its surrounding plants and creatures is apparent in each of them.

The intricate details of these works from Morris and Co is representative of the ideals of individuality and a distinct aesthetic that is a signature of his works.

Celtic Tree of Life

In the Celtic context however, the Tree of Life tapestry is used to symbolise the connection between heaven and earth.

The tree reaches into heaven and the roots of the tree go deep into the earth. As such, the connection between the various realms of life are made. The Celts believed in the life force which permeates all living things including the sacred Tree of Life, and that this tree could be a conduit from which messages from their deity can be transmitted.

The Druids believed in the wisdom of the trees and held many teaching and ceremonies in the forests amidst great oak trees.

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Various Celtic artists have interpreted the Celtic Tree of Life, and some are contemporary and filled with symbolism.

Klimt and Wescoat Tree of Life

The more modern interpretations of the Tree of Life can be seen by the works of Gustav Klimt and Natasha Wescoat.

Klimt is an Austrian artist in the Vienna Succession movement, and his works represent his style and his ideals of freedom of expression.

In his works, the Tree is beautifully rendered with its characteristic spirals of the branches.

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His works have inspired many artists since his time including the works of Natasha Wescoat.

Her works are a modern interpretation of the Tree of Life that is modern and bold.

The swirls of color and design symbolizes her ideals of optimism and boundless possibilities.

See the entire range of Tree of Life Tapestry here

The Tree has been represented by many cultures and artists through centuries.

Its meaning is steeped in tradition as well as modern spirituality.

Meaning the unlimited bounty of nature, the interconnectedness of living things or the traditional belief of the Tree of Immortality, the Tree of Life is a subject that is eternal.

So whichever way you see it, this tapestry has a multilayered meaning.

Decor and art which marries home and garden such as a scene of nature and this symbolic tree brings a sense of nature into the home, and celebrates the deep and rich meanings of this subject.

You can see the entire range of Tree of Life Tapestry wall hangings here.