Mountains, Trees, and Gardens by Madison Woodard

Mountains in religion, mythology, and media

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 15:46:34 UTC

Mount Olympus (Greek Mythology)

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 15:55:31 UTC

Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, plays a critical role in Greek culture, history, and mythology. It has been featured in ancient Greek stories and texts, being a staple of both untouched divinity and fear. A very early mention of Mount Olympus is seen in the Iliad, which speaks of the observation of the Trojan War and plays into the idea of mortals being below gods and goddesses, who are said to reside on Mount Olympus. Inhabited by the king of Greek gods and goddesses, as well as his fellow deities, Mount Olympus plays an essential role in understanding greek culture and morals.

Mountains in the Bible

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 16:00:05 UTC

Mountains are featured many times throughout the Bible, to mimic moments of when those are closer to god, by being higher up. Some examples of these circumstances are Mount Ararat, where Noah's ark rests after the flood, Mount Sinai where Moses receives the Ten Commandments, and Mount of Olives, where Jesus prays before his arrest.

Mountains in Judaism

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 16:04:09 UTC

A crossover from the bible that Judaism also shares is the significance of Mount Sinai, where it is said the giving of the Torah took place. It took place on the mountain as a symbol that it is accessible to all, since it is a mountain capable of being scaled. This mimics the eternity that it promises the human race.

Trees in religion, media, and mythology

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 16:06:39 UTC

Mountains in Norse Mythology

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 16:13:02 UTC

The Norse god, Heimdall, is the watchman of gods and is said to be the guardian of the heavy realm of Asgard and the holy ruler. He resided in Himinbjörg or Heavens Mountain. The god and the mountain are often seen as the same, which depicts Heimdalls divinity and heavanly rule above mortals.

Mountains in movies (Encanto & Hercules)

mbwoodard — 2024-08-05 16:25:19 UTC

Mountains in movies often symbolize a goal or hardship a character has to overcome. They may not be climbing a mountain, but they mimic a feeling of desperate climb toward a goal. In the Disney movie Hercules, he has to climb Mount Olympus to find his true self. In the song "I Can Go the Distance" he sings about overcoming adversity and talks of not giving up, despite an uphill climb. Mountains often also symbolize solitude or safety. An example of this is present in the movie Encanto, where an enchantment protects the city from any outside harm, by literally forming giant mountains around the entire city.

Trees in movies (Avatar & Tinkerbell)

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 15:50:08 UTC

Trees in movies and forms of media often take on the meanings of unity, life, healing, and calmness. A good example of a tree in media is the Tree of Souls from Avatar. This tree is incredibly important to the Na'vi race, as it maintains the balance of life. Another tree that mimics this theming is the Pixie Dust Tree from Tinkerbell. Both of these trees lie at the center of the civilization and therefore mimic the heart and soul of that town. Both of these trees have a sort of healing property, With the pixie dust tree fueling the life around the faeries and their flight, and the Tree of Souls providing a connection to the afterlife.

Trees in Norse Mythology

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 15:58:22 UTC

A sacred tree in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, or "The Tree of Life" is once again a tree that lies at the heart of the Norse cosmos, connecting and encompassing the nine worlds in the Norse cosmos. Often, this tree is seen as a parallel to some of the main functions of the human body, encompassing a nervous system, and vascular system, like one of a human. This also connects to the unity of all 9 worlds, coming together as one through this tree.

Trees in Judaism

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 16:06:33 UTC

In a certain sector of Judaism, specifically Rabbinic Judaism, it is taught that there are four new years. Each of these resembles a new year relating to an agricultural part of nature. The 15th of Shvat (Tu Bishvat,) is the new year for trees. In Rabbinic Judaism, trees are often seen as vessels of transition, specifically through both expected and unexpected challenges. Due to this, when people behave properly, they are compared to the everlasting stature and different properties of trees. Trees in Rabbinic Judaism mirror the human experience and therefore are often held to the same status as the human being.

Gardens in religion, media, and mythology

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 16:33:51 UTC

Gardens in Movies

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 22:05:23 UTC

Gardens in movies are often seen as ornate, high-class, and/or magical. Often in 1700's themed movies, we see the use of gardens as a place for gathering, usually in high-class settings, and are usually where women are depicted. This depicts the common symbolism of innocence, fertility, and a youthful soul. An example of these types of symbols used in a garden is Alice in Wonderland, in which we see the queen of Hearts garden, in which femininity is expressed greatly, as well as the Queen's general desire.

Garden in the Bible - Knowledge of Good and Evil

mbwoodard — 2024-08-06 22:09:38 UTC

The most well-known and significant garden in the Bible would be the Garden of Eden. This garden is where humankind dwells with god and represents innocence, purity, and an unbroken communion with god. It is seen as a paradise that mimics heaven, and the abundance of what god gives to humanity and harmony with both oneself and god. --> Fruit from the tree of knowledge is akin to becoming all-knowing, and godlike. It symbolizes the dangers of playing god, and free will.

Olive and Fig trees

mbwoodard — 2024-08-07 15:32:47 UTC

Olive trees: Symbol of peace (Olive branch)

Fig trees: Wisdom, success.

Trees in Greek Mythology

mbwoodard — 2024-08-07 15:43:39 UTC

Dryads, which are Greek nymphs that inhabit trees, are seen as Greek creatures who are intertwined with a tree's spirit. It was said they only lived as long as the trees they inhabited, which mimics the symbolism of life within trees. Trees in Greek mythology often parallel and symbolize or are connected to certain gods and goddesses.

Extra details- Mountains

mbwoodard — 2024-08-08 16:15:29 UTC

Japan: Mount Fuji

Buddhism: Mount Sumeru

Mountain: Death and rebirth generally, transcendence, and reaching gods

Ziggurat

mbwoodard — 2024-08-08 16:18:56 UTC

Man playing god- Mortals communicating with gods

Water and mountains

mbwoodard — 2024-08-08 16:21:45 UTC

"Waters flowing from the paradise on the summit of his mountain"