Texts>Ancient Pagan Symbols

It is the Tree of Life that is so jealously guarded. The Haoma whose sap gave immortality was the traditional Tree of Life of the Persians. This is the Cosmic Tree which produces ambrosia and dispenses salvation, and is identified with the Soma so celebrated in the Rig-veda. The juice of the sacred plant was drunk sacramentally, it was the libation of the gods, the draught of immortality and fills with religious fervour and ecstasy the hearts of those who drink of it. It gives strength and courage, and the Vedic god Indra partakes of it nightly before going forth to conquer the dragon Vritra. So potent is it that Soma the drink of the gods, which moves and inspires l1hemto high deeds, is itself hailed as a god possessed of divine power.

The Sien trees of the Chinese are those that confer health, strength, life, immortality, such as the jejube, plum, pear, peach-any tree, in short, that produces fruit-or aromatic or edible matter.

Fruits of the vine or tree yielded by fermentation a liquid that is still called Eau de vie. [water of Life]

The Chinese Tree of Life, was one of seven marvel- Ilous trees that grew on the slope of the Kuen-Luen Mountains, the terrestrial paradise presided over by Si Wang Mu. The fruit of this tree was supposed to be the Sacred Peach which entered so largely into the mysticism of the Taoists, who used the peach tree as a symbol of marriage, longevity, immortality. Anyone to whom the Ohinese goddess gave the fruit became immortal. In Chinese art Si Wang Mu is symbolised by a peach and a phoenix.

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