There is a ginseng fruit tree in "Journey to the West" and a bronze sacred tree in Sanxingdui... Why were the ancients so keen on deifying trees?

Have you ever stopped under an ancient tree, looked up at its branches reaching toward the sky, and felt a sense of tranquility that transcends time and space? Every ancient tree is a living history book.

Everyone must remember the peach tree and the ginseng fruit tree in Journey to the West. They are both very representative mythological plants.

Ancient trees have been closely connected with myths and legends since the beginning. Many trees have been revered as totems and worshipped by people. In documents such as "Classic of Mountains and Seas" and "Huainanzi", there are stories about the worship of tree gods such as "Fusang" at sunrise, "Ruomu" at sunset, and "Jianmu" reaching the sky. The sacred trees have the function of connecting heaven and earth.

The bronze sacred tree unearthed from Sanxingdui is believed to confirm the records of these ancient sacred trees.

Coincidentally, many countries and regions in the world have developed ancient giant tree worship, such as the "Pippala tree" in Indian mythology and the "Yggdrasil" sacred tree in Norse mythology.

Sanxingdui Bronze Sacred Tree (Photo source: Sanxingdui Museum)

Assyrian Empire God and God Tree Relief (Source: British Museum)

Since the emergence of civilization and the formation of settlements, people no longer rely on trees to avoid natural enemies, but these big trees still play an important role.

Ancient trees are natural homes and provide habitats for many plants and animals.

Ancient trees are wise medicine boxes, such as ginkgo, liquidambar, camphor, etc., which have magical medicinal value. Therefore, many places have formed folk legends about these trees such as "White Doctor", "Maple Doctor" and "Camphor Doctor".

Ancient trees are solid barriers. Our ancestors liked to plant big trees at the entrance of the village or at the water mouth to guard the village, forming a water mouth forest, also known as a "feng shui forest", which can store wind, gather energy, block wind and consolidate water.

Ancient trees are a spiritual sustenance. In some places, people will pray to ancient trees, hoping to get a healthy marriage, offspring or children, which is the so-called "praying to the trees for protection."

We can enjoy such a rich variety of ancient trees today, thanks to the protection of these green cultural relics by our ancestors. For example, the people of Kaihua have adopted the methods of erecting mountain ban monuments, killing pigs to close the mountains, and eating mountain-closed meals since ancient times to protect ecological public welfare forests and famous ancient trees. It is precisely because of these strict village rules and regulations, as well as the people's traditional education and inheritance of "previous generations plant trees and future generations enjoy the shade", that future generations can enjoy such rich resources of ancient and famous trees.

However, it is inevitable that ancient trees are facing problems such as natural aging, disasters and human destruction. If appropriate measures are not taken to protect these ancient trees, there will be fewer and fewer ancient trees in the world. When the marks of these nations are erased, where are the roots of our spirit?

Ancient camphor trees in Zhangtian Village, Kaihua, Quzhou, protect the village

At present, my country implements graded protection for ancient and famous trees. The primary task of protecting ancient and famous trees is to create digital files and implement "one tree, one file" protection, so that each ancient tree has its own "identity card".

The rejuvenation and protection of ancient and famous trees from pests and diseases is like putting on armor and providing medical kits for these ancient green giants. The maintenance staff will conduct "health checks" on these ancient trees.

Ancient and famous trees are precious heritage of the intersection of nature and human civilization, the legacy of the wisdom of our ancestors, and witnesses and historical carriers of Chinese civilization.

References:

https://finance.ifeng.com/c/8VlqxryEgdF

http://lyj.zj.gov.cn/art/2024/10/12/art_1276365_59080518.html

Liu Gaohan et al. Kaihua Forestry Chronicles[M]. Beijing: Fangzhi Publishing House, 2013.

Wu Xianhua, Liu Feng, Cheng Xingfeng, et al. Analysis on the characteristics and causes of ancient and famous trees in Kaihua, Zhejiang Province[J]. Nature Reserves, 2023, 3(03): 103-109.

Gao Xiaohui et al. Ancient and famous trees in Hangzhou[M]. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 2024.

About the Author:

Lu Lei

Research Assistant, College of Landscape Architecture and Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University / Research direction: Landscape architecture history theory and heritage protection

Yu Wanjing

Master student at the College of Landscape Architecture and Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University. Research interests include landscape architecture history theory and heritage protection.

Jin Hexian

Professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Landscape Architecture and Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University / President and executive deputy editor-in-chief of Chinese Garden Magazine / Research interests include landscape architecture history theory and heritage protection, rehabilitation gardens, and ecological restoration

Hu Wenhao

Lecturer at the College of Landscape Architecture and Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University/Deputy Director of Kaihua Forestry Bureau, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province/Research interests include agricultural landscape ecology and biodiversity