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Tree of Life

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

The Tree of Life. A multiple branched tree that symbolizes that we are all connected; all living things on earth are one. The concept represents a theory held by many that it is the interconnectedness of species that makes the world as we understand it today, exist and continue. Closely related to the Tree of Knowledge, connecting heaven and the underworld, both trees according to scholars are part of one, “world tree” or “cosmic tree.” The Tree of Life has been depicted in numerous religious publications from as early as the story of the Garden of Eden. Yet, we also see recognition of a similar tree in ancient Egypt. Egyptians referred to this tree as “a tree in which life and death are enclosed;” having claimed that Isis and Osiris (Egyptian Gods), emerged from their sacred Acacia Tree. The Tree of Life has made a profound effect on societies all around the world and the culture and folklore within them.

What makes this tree so special? A variety of different illustrations of what the Tree of Life looks like have been created over the years. A common design, is embraced here to the right in our Tree of Life Wall Art. Finely crafted and hand painted, this lovely metal sculpture’s bold design makes it the focal point in any room. Bright green leaves and deep red cherries highlight the bronzed brown base of the tree. Though there are many tree paintings where the artist has chosen to illustrate the Tree of Life, that appear unlike the one pictured. Such as our Tapestry Garden Print by artist William Morris. Originally created in 1879, the known tapestry designer chose to showcase the Tree of Life with its branches growing upward, as opposed to branching downward. Surrounded by a gorgeous floral border, this print has a smooth satin guard finish for the look of an oil painting. The beauty of the Tree of Life is that because it represents all living creatures, it can be portrayed in various ways.

The Tree of Life concept influences artists that have inspirational themes as well. An example of this is Bonnie Mohr’s Living Life Print, which embraces the idea of everlasting life, through the symbol of a tree. “Life is not a race – but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work Hard. Be Choosy. Say Thank You, I love you and Great Job to someone each day.” A message of life lessons goes hand in hand with the theme of the Tree of Life; in that we must work together to live our lives happily and to the fullest, to ensure that all life continues to grow and prosper, just like that of a tree.

Tree of Life Across Cultures

As mentioned above, there are many societies around the world that have or currently do have a slight variant in their perception of the Tree of Life. Etz Chaim, Hebrew for Tree of Life, includes a further association with wisdom. According to the Book of Proverbs, “[Wisdom] is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holdest her fast.” (Proverbs 3:13-18). In Indian traditions there are two symbolic trees, the Banyan Tree and the Peepal Tree; both varieties of the Fig Tree. The Banyan tree, in Buddhist culture signifies fertility and was worshiped by those wanting children; it is believed to have nourished mankind with its ‘milk’ before the advent of grain and other food. Moving on to Nordic mythology, where the Tree of Life is said to support the entire universe because its roots are so deeply implanted in the ground. The branches represent the spiritual realm, the middle section represents human persona and ego and lastly the roots represent the underworld and all matter of the unconscious sense. In China, a Tree of Life carving is typically shown with a dragon; which together signifies immortality. Among pre-columbian Mesoamerican societies, trees were thought of as world trees. World Trees provided people in this area with the four cardinal directions and they took direction from the tree as a central base point. This idea was found in art and many ceremonies of the time; as well as early languages of the Maya and Aztec people. An overall theme that is embraced by most mentioned above, is that the Tree of Life can also be “seen” in the sky in a band of stars, in our very own Milky Way Galaxy.

In an article by Sondra Crane, The Tree of Life Symbol, she describes beautifully the significance of each part of the tree: “The Tree of Life is a universal symbol found in many spiritual traditions. It symbolizes many things, including wisdom, protection, strength, bounty, beauty, and redemption. This tree is symbolic of the Creator as it sustains creation with its abundant fruit, protection and regeneration. The Tree also represents humans as we too develop roots, strengthen our trunk and branch out to a wider vision of life as we grow. The tree provides shelter. Tall and strong, it has deep roots. It reaches skyward. It loses its leaves and grows new ones …bears fruit …gives shelter. With nurture and care, it lives for generations.”

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Toile – Then and Now

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Toile in blueMost everyone recognizes the fine lines of this fabric, not many know it’s name. It exists in the ethereal of memory of younger years and regal things, of plates on the wall and tea pots – but mostly of grandmother telling us not to touch.

Toile de Jouy (or toile for short) emerged from main land Europe from deep inside the French monarchy in the late 18th century where it immigrated to England and eventually to our shores. There has been waves of popularity in between then and now, ans so once again toile become quite popular – for adding interest to a window, a special dinner set, chair pads, ceramic adorned spoons, and now even stitched into summer dresses; we try not to think about the time when the pattern was added to men’s shirts in the 70s.

The patterns aren’t of any exact scene, the style is an amalgamation of farming or country scenes, flowers or bushes, and large blocks of detailed patterns are all indicative of toile. Although the term is quite loose and even our Williamsburg Toile Quilt is simple monochromatic flowers on a white backdrop, it is one of those patterns that if you see it you know it.

With the popularity and just plain prettiness of this fabric type, we’d be glad to have it sprinkled in small parts of your beautiful home.

Have great Toile pieces? Love a piece of Toile you got from us? Share them in the comments below .

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What is a Pysanky Egg?

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Hand Painted EggsPysanky is the Ukrainian craft of decorated eggs. Pysanka is often taken to mean any type of decorated egg, but it specifically refers to an egg created by the written-wax batik method and utilizing traditional folk motifs and designs. Birds were special to the sun god and eggs were magical objects. The eggs warded off evil spirits.

Many superstitions were attached to pysanky. In addition to warding off evil spirits, Pysanky were thought to protect households from catastrophe, lightning, and fires. Pysanky with spiral motifs were the most powerful, as the demons and other unholy creatures would be trapped within the spirals forever. A blessed pysanka could be used to find demons hidden in the dark corners of your house.

One old Ukrainian myth centered on the wisdom of giving older people gifts of pysanky with darker colors and/or rich designs, for their life has already been filled. Similarly, it is appropriate to give young people pysanky with white as the predominant color because their life is still a blank page. Girls would often give pysanky to young men they fancied, and include heart motifs. It was said, though, that a girl should never give her boyfriend a pysanky that has no design on the top and bottom of the egg, as this might signify that the boyfriend would soon lose his hair.

Pysanky were traditionally made during the last week of Lent, Holy Week in the Orthodox and Greek (Uniate) Catholic calendars. During the middle of the Lenten season, women began putting aside eggs, those that were most perfectly shaped and smooth. If possible they should be the first laid eggs of young hens.

Goose and Eggs FigurineThe dyes were prepared from dried plants, roots, bark, berries and insects (cochineal). Black dye was made from walnut husks. Sometimes chemical dyes (of unusual or difficult colors) were purchased from traders along with alum, a mordant that helped the natural dyes adhere better to eggshells.
A stylus, known as a pysachok, (pysak, pysal’tse, or kystka (kistka), depending on region), was prepared. A piece of thin brass was wrapped around a needle, forming a hollow cone. This was attached to a small stick (willow was preferred) with wire or horsehair.

In some regions, mostly in Transcarpathia, a simple pin inserted onto the end of a stick was used instead. Beeswax was heated in a small bowl on the stove and then scooped into the stylus as needed. The molten wax was applied to the white egg with a writing motion; any bit of shell covered with wax would be sealed, and remain white. Then the egg was dyed yellow, and more wax applied, and then orange, red, purple, black. (The dye sequence was always light to dark). Bits of shell covered with wax remained that color. After the final color, usually red, brown, or black, the wax was removed by heating the egg and gently wiping off the melted wax, or by briefly dipping the egg into boiling water.

Boiled eggs were not used, as pysanky were generally written on raw or, less commonly, baked eggs (pecharky). Boiled eggs were dyed red for Easter, using an onion skin dye, and called “krashanky.” The number of colors on an egg was usually limited, as natural dyes had very long dyeing times, sometimes hours.

Pysanky continue to be made in modern times; while many traditional aspects have been preserved, new technologies are in evidence. Aniline dyes have largely replaced natural dyes. Styluses are now made with modern materials. Traditional styluses are still made from brass and wood, but those made with more modern plastic handles are gaining in popularity. An electric version of the stylus has been commercially available since the 1970s, with the cone becoming a metal reservoir which keeps the melted beeswax at a constant temperature and holds a much larger amount than a traditional stylus. These newer styluses (whether electric or not) also sport machined heads, with sizes or the opening ranging from extra-fine to extra-heavy.

Be sure to look up images of Pysanky to see how amazing this craft is!

Bunny with Egg CupChicken Wire Gift Backet

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