The relationship between tree images and the Indian mythical and religious beliefs

The image of tree is one of the oldest images in Indian art which is considerably related to religious and mythical beliefs of this country. The oldest manifestations of tree in Indian art and culture are cosmic tree (converse)، tree of life and the Buddhist tree (Buddha’s tree). This study was conducted to investigate the significant relationship between religious beliefs in India and the image of tree and its importance in Buddhist art. In this study، conducted through the descriptive-analytical method، the issue of tree is addressed from three aspects: 1) the value and sanctity of the tree in India، 2) The types of sacred tree in this land، and 3) The manifestation of Buddha as a tree in Buddhist art. The results while showing the significance and sanctity of sacred trees among the followers of different religions in India، reveal the relationship between the presences of Gods and the mythical characters and the tree is one of the major causes of expansion of images related to the tree in Indian and Buddhist art.