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Tree of Life or Sephiroth
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| Tree of Life as published by Jesuit Kircher in 17th century |
The Tree of Life (Heb. עץ החיים Etz haChayim), is an ancient kabbalistic scheme of the distribution of powers from the most abstract to the most complex. It is a plan of creation consisting of 10 spheres or emanations, which are represented by the first ten numbers and 22 paths corresponding to the same number of letters in Hebrew alphabet. The spheres are traditionally called sephiroth (pl. numbers, sg. sephira) in Hebrew and therefore the whole Tree of Life is sometimes simply referred to as Sephiroth.
The names of the spheres are derived from the scripture. The first three are, for example, named in Exodus 31:3
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge…
The name of the first sephira is ‘Spirit of God’, the second is ‘wisdom’ and the third is called ‘understanding’. References are also found in Proverbs 3:19,20 and 24:3,4. The remaining seven sephiroth are named in 1 Chronicles 29:11
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness (4), and the power (5), and the glory (6), and the victory (7), and the majesty (8): for all (9) that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom (10), O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
The traditional names of the sephiroth come from Sepher Yetzirah, which is a tractate describing kabbalistic cosmogenesis and attributions of its elements, ten numbers and twenty-two letters.
| 1 |
כתר |
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Kether |
Crown |
| 2 |
חכמה |
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Chokmah |
Wisdom |
| 3 |
בינה |
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Binah |
Understanding |
| 4 |
חסד |
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Chesed |
Mercy |
| 5 |
גבורה |
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Geburah |
Strength |
| 6 |
תפארת |
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Tiphareth |
Beauty |
| 7 |
הוד |
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Hod |
Splendor |
| 8 |
נצח |
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Netzach |
Victory |
| 9 |
יסוד |
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Yesod |
Foundation |
| 10 |
מלכות |
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Malkuth |
Kingdom |
The ten spheres of the Tree of Life diagram are connected to each other through 22 paths, which are simply all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Thau. Each letter has a range of correspondences that speak about the nature of particular letter, but these attributes are not completely fixed and may vary considerable according to different schools.
The Tree of Life is an excellent interpretative tool for any concept imaginable, because the scheme is simple enough in its structure, but also enough complex that even the most difficult relations can be studied with ease once the system is grasped. It roughly resembles the eastern system of chakras where each center is in charge of specific energies.
The diagram of the Tree of Life or Sephiroth is nowhere postulated and the design gradually evolved. Similar designs to the Tree of Life are found also in other cultures, in Assyrian, Egyptian, or Mesopotamian, but there are no proofs that they are related.
The underlying geometry of the scheme is the isometric projection of two aligned cubes. The reason is perhaps in geometric properties of such projection, which shows ten points (or 10 sephiroth) and twenty-two interconnecting lines (or 22 letters of Hebrew alphabet). Two cubes seems to be significantly important for ancient cultures, because they are found in proportions of the greatest ancient sanctuaries, like the Temple of Solomon or much earlier King’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza.
There seems a strong correlation between the Tree of Life and the Pythagorean Tetraktys. The Tetraktys, which was also called the Mystical Tetrad, was so sacred for the Pythagoreans that they swore oaths at it. This simple scheme consists of ten pebbles triangularly arranged beginning with one and ending with four pebbles.
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Similarities between Kabbalistic Tree of Life and Pythagorean Tetraktys |
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The Tetraktys illustrates a progression of spatial dimensions: first comes a point, next is the line (2 points), the plane is defined by 3 points and finally space comes with the fourth point elevated from the plane. It is interesting that the points of the isometric projection of two cubes seen as proto-Sephiroth offer an advanced illustration of the same principle.
The Tree of Life is vertically and horizontally divided into three pillars and four ‘worlds’. The left pillar is connecting sephiroth 3, 5, and 8 and is called the Pillar of Severity pertaining to female aspect. The right one is connecting sephiroth 2, 4, and 7 and is called the Pillar of Mercy pertaining to male aspect. Balanced between the two opposing forces is the Pillar of Mildness, which connects sephiroth 1, 6, 9, and 10. Its nature is in terms of the alchemist androgynous.
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Vertical and horizontal division of Tree of Life on three pillars and four worlds |
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Horizontally is the Tree of Life cut into four ‘worlds’ or ‘planes’ called Atziluth (Emanation), Beriyah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation), and Assiah (Making). These planes are alluded to in Isaiah 43:7:
All that is called in My Name, for My Glory (Atziluth), I have created (Beriyah) it, I have formed (Yetzirah) it, and I have made (Asiyah) it.
For a mystic is the Tree of Life a meticulous plan of a spiritual journey, ventured in order to attain the most abstract levels of existence. It is Jacob’s ladder that bridges the gap between the monad and the complexity of creation.
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