Leaf symbolism is old and it has meant a lot to many people. Cultures around the world view the leaf as a significant part of a plant.
There is no place in the world where leaves don’t exist. Every culture knows what a leaf is, from trees, small plants and any sort of vegetation.
It is the leafy part that makes any kind of vegetation to be called vegetation. With the universal nature of trees, it is no surprise that it comes with powerful symbolism.
The symbolism varies from culture to culture but here are the common symbolism connected to leaves.
Symbol of Growth or rebirth
Most plants get their energy through leaves by soaking up the rays from the sunlight. We also realize that a plant is growing when the tiny bud turns into a leaf and then more leaves.
This makes it a fitting symbol of growth. From these leaves, the branches grow and a tree grows.
A leaf therefore even when it appears in a dream, is seen as a great symbol of growth or progress or rebirth or new beginnings. There are businesses and organizations that have used leaves as their emblem to mean growth.
Symbol of life and energy
The life-sustaining chlorophyll is what makes the leaves of a plant appear green. The green color is symbolic itself. It is a symbol of life and energy.
When a leaf is green it is said that the plant is a living thing because that is the best sign of life. Energy results to life and this is what drives all living things. Growth, rebirth and other life activities cannot happen without energy.
Symbol of Death and Somberness.
Not all leaves are green. Leaves fall each autumn and they are not green when they fall. They are dry and brown. This dryness and brown color is usually a symbol of death and sadness.
When the trees wither and die they fall down to the ground and contribute to the nutrients in the soil. They become part of the circle of life in the plant environment.
Even sad and somber movies use dry leaves to depict desolation, sadness and in some instance haunted abandoned houses.
Ever seem haunted houses with no eerie wind rustling the fallen leaves? Blowing them away perhaps? The dead fallen leaves are usually a symbol of death, sadness or desolation.
Symbol of the journey of the soul
It is believed that the body dies but the soul lives on. The same way leaves wither and die, then fall to the ground and still influence the growth of the tree, most cultures believe that something similar happens when a human death occurs.
These cultures believe that death is not the end but simply another step of the journey of life. There are cultures that believe that the soul is reborn into someone again while others believe that the soul begins a new life on another spiritual realm.
This is why it is compared to the leaf because even though the leaf dies, it still gives life to the soil which in turn provides nourishment for the tree in the form of nutrients.
Symbol of Modesty and Shame
Leaves have been used as symbolism associated with modesty and shame. This came about because of the story of Christianity and the adventures of the first humans to be created by God.
It is said that when they disobeyed their maker and ate from the forbidden tree, they realized they were naked and began feeling shame.
To cover their shame, they went ahead and used fig leaves to cover their private parts. This is why leaves have been used as a symbol of modesty or shame in various cultures around the world.
Leaves have for a long period symbolized hidden things, such as the hidden dangers of untamed wilds. Before civilizations, towns and cities came to be, there was the wilderness which was covered with heavy forest.
Traveling from place to place was dangerous because the leaves gave shelter to the wild things in the wilderness. A wilderness looked more terrifying when there are thick-leaved trees that rendered it dark and forbidding.
Sounds of rustling leaves in a dense forest is usually a great sign of danger and the movies to justice when depicting such a scene. This is why leaves will often time symbolize hidden dangers.
Symbol of Fertility or hope
Leaves have also been known to symbolize fertility and hope. It is a common occurrence where we see many fruit-bearing trees growing fruits around the leaves which is a great sign that leaves boost fertility.
Nothing speaks hope and productivity like a fruit growing in the thickest spot among leaves. When leaves also indicate hope when the barren looking grey trees began spotting green shoots of tiny leaves.
It is a sign of hope and wonderful things to come, the same way winter ends and the beautiful spring seasons comes about.
The green of the leaves that come about after the death of the trees or even after a forest fire is a great sign that hope springs even amidst hopeless-looking situations.
It is a sign that life will always find a way to survive and thrive even amidst disaster.
Symbol of nature
When have you ever thought of nature and never thought of huge leafy green trees? Hardly does anyone think of the perfect natural environment with trees looking barren without leaves.
It is always with leaves on them. This is why many associate leaves with nature because they are what makes trees important parts of the eco-system. The truth is they do indeed make contribute greatly to the preservation of the environment.
Leaves have for a long time been used as great symbolism. They continue to make great impressions in cultures around the world.
For some people, it might not hold much importance, but for some, it holds very powerful symbolism that even when they dream about it, they will go to great lengths to have their dreams interpreted.
Others study leaves both in mystical and scientific ways. The answers always depend on the culture and beliefs of the leaf researcher.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
