Native across the Northern Hemisphere and a few species south the equator, a popular choice for furniture worldwide, its resin used for turpentine, the pine tree is not only used for a variety of things, but it has enormous symbolic value, as it is a part of many cultures, lore, and legends.
The everlasting and evergreen beauty of the pine tree makes it loved by many. They are very durable and can withstand a wide range of climates: from very cold and heavy snow to drought. These trees are also highly adaptable and during strong winds, they bend to a great extent but do not break.
These qualities probably serve as the base for the symbolism and beliefs surrounding the tree, which births many myths and legends in different cultures' lore.
Mainly the tree symbolizes fertility, longevity, wisdom, peace, immortality, resilience, and life. But for different cultures, it may vary.
Native America
Amongst the Native Americans are told many myths about the Pine trees. One of which is the Mimcmac's tale of the creation of the pine trees, called "The first Pine trees".
In this legend, there were said to be three brothers: One of them wanted to be very tall and always made sure to do everything in his power to look taller, he put bark in his moccasins, made his hair stand tall, and put a long turkey feather on his head. The second one wished to stay forever in the forest and admire its' beauty. The third one wished for longevity and health.
And so they heard of a great magician coming to the land of the Red Sunrise and set to go and find him in order for him to fulfill their wishes. Their adventure had lead them to a mountain and they had to survive many trials in order to reach the magician. In the end, they found him and with the help of Cuhkw the Earthquake the three brothers were planted in the forest and became three proud and tall pine trees. Thus they had their desires fulfilled - The first brother was the tallest pine tree, the second one could stay in the forest forever and the third brother is believed to still be in the forest,
Another legend, among the peoples Iroquois Confederacy tells of the union of the five nations (that became six in the 18th century), depicting the pine tree as a symbol of union and bringer of peace. In it was said that once existed five nations who were in a constant war with each other, but there came a "Peacemaker" that sought to unify them and end the bloodshed. Thus to stop the war the Peacemaker uprooted a White pine and in the dug-up hole, they buried their weapons. Then the tree was replanted, the underground water carried away the weapons, the roots spread in the four directions of the earth, again as a symbol of unity and the needles of the tree grew in clusters of five to symbolize the five nations. There was an eagle on top to watch over the roots of peace and the branches underneath spread wide, so there was a place for everyone underneath.
Among the tribes of the Great Basin and Plateau, the people would burn pine cones or wood to change the weather, as they believed the pine had that power.
Many tribes also used the tree's pitch and bark for medicine and the pine nuts as food. Furthermore, western tribes used pine needles for traditional basketry and some clans use the pine tree as their clan symbol.
Greek and Roman mythology
In Greek mythology, the Pine tree symbolized fertility and royalty and was associated with the goddess Pitthea and the god Dionysus. The worshippers of Dionysus would carry a wand with a pine cone tip as a symbol of fertility.
For the Romans As an evergreen tree, the pine symbolized immortality. It was a sacred tree of the Mithraic cult. On March 22nd, the worshippers of Cybele would cut a pine tree down and bring it into her sanctuary in honor of her consort Attis, who died and was said to have been turned into a pine tree. Furthermore, during the Roman holiday of Saturnalia (Dec. 17-25th), the ancient Romans would decorate pine trees with ornaments such as oscilla, which were made in the image of Bacchus, and little clay dolls known as sigillaria.
Germanic lore
In Germanic people's lore, the main focus is the sap contained in the pine tree.
One of the many tales is about how the sap got into the tree in the first place.
In this story, it was said that a bear encountered a woman who had fallen asleep next to a pine tree and had a wound on her leg. The bear wanted to help and went to get sap from its cave. But when the bear got back the woman was already gone and so the bear threw the sap at the pine in anger and this is why there is sap in pine trees.
In ancient Finland, people believed that hugging a pine tree would give one courage and they used to treat wounds with the sap contained in the tree.
Pine trees are also one of the symbols of the Germanic mid-winter festival of Yule.
Druids
The Druids believed that by lighting large bonfires of Scots pine at the winter solstice they would draw back the Sun.
They would also decorate a pine tree with shining objects to represent the Divine light.
Whereas these two rituals were the reason for the birth of the Yule log and Yule tree and later on Christmas.
Because of its durability and due to it being water-repellent, the pine tree was a much-desired wood for shipbuilding in Scotland.
East Asia
In the animist traditions of Japan, China, and Korea the pine tree is a symbol of longevity, virtue, and masculine power.
In Shinto, there is a belief that pines are ladders used by gods to ascend to heaven. This is why during New Year pine twigs are arranged on bamboo trunks and are put on the doors to symbolize a gateway for the blessings of the Gods.
In Korea, the pine tree symbolizes honor, strength, and wisdom. Some pine trees are worshipped as divine beings in rural areas of Korea. Many traditional Koreans pray to pine trees for good luck, prosperity, and good health.
When babies are born, pine branches are left on doors tied to a rope made of straw with charcoal for three weeks to keep evil spirits away.
The Korean pine tree is also seen as a messenger and transporter for the souls of the dead to the afterlife, which is why many coffins are made of the tree to ensure the deceased's soul goes to Heaven.
In China, the pine tree is a part of the so-called "Three friends of winter" along with the plum and the bamboo. The Three friends are basically called like that cause they stay evergreen (the plum even blossoms during winter), which is also why they are a symbol of immortality and longevity.
The Chinese God of Longevity, Shouxing, is often depicted standing at the base of a pine tree with a crane perched in one of the tree's branches.
Furthermore, Pine trees are also planted near graves in China, as it is believed they protect the corpses from the mythical water dragon and "brain-eater" Wang Xiang.
The Taoists sought immortality and tried to achieve it by ingesting pine cones, resin, and needles.
In Witchcraft
In witchcraft, the pine trees symbolize prosperity fertility, and protection.
Burning needles is said to reverse and send back spells, purify and cleanse the home. They can be scattered on the floor to ward of evil or added to baths to help with negative thoughts.
Using pine tree oil or incense is believed to help with healing, increasing physical energy, and attracting abundance.
Hanging a wreath of pine is said to protect the home from sickness and bring in joy.
The Pine tree is a symbol of many things - longevity, resilience, prosperity, adaptability. peace. it's here to give us an example of how the strength of character can help us overcome even the coldest harshest winters.
Blessed be Witches!
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