Almond Tree Symbolism and Meanings
My hometown is surrounded by sprawling almond orchards, and each spring, when I see them bloom in their delicate pinkish-white beauty, they have the same impact on me as if heaven had suddenly appeared in my backyard as if they have some kind of connection with the divine.
Almonds trees are often associated with faith, fertility, purity, perfection and particularly in attracting money or other valuables. These symbols have made people carry almonds as part of their lucky charms.
The almond tree and pomegranate were both held sacred by the Pagan societies near ancient Biblical cultures. The scientific name Amygdalus is derived from the Sumerian word “amaga”, which translated means Great Mother.
Learn more about the almond tree symbolism by reading on.
| Symbolism: | Purity, perfection, faith, fertility, hope, grief and luck |
| Divine Associations: | The “White Goddess”, Cybele (Phrygian), Astarte (Phoenician) |
| Astrological Associations: | Venus, Mars and Mercury |
| Historical Spotlight: | Almond sanctuaries were common in ancient Israel and Judea. But then King Josiah did some religious reforms in 621 BCE that made people focus all religious life on the Temple. This was to make it harder for the Assyrian invaders to take over. |
Short Description Of Almond Tree (Amygdalus)
The genus Amygdalus contains around 40 species, most of which are found in southwestern and central Asia and around 15 of these species are found in Iran.
There are also three species of almond found in Israel- two bitter-seeded and one sweet-seeded. The sweet-seeded almond (A. communis) is the most commonly known almond and is featured prominently in Jewish tradition.
It is a wild, deciduous tree that typically grows to medium height with oblong, lanceolate leaves. The flowers bloom from mid-February to mid-March and are white with a bell shape and are pollinated by bees.
This tree has leaves that are long and thin with pointed tips and the flowers are pink color and grow in pairs measuring 1-2 inches wide.
The outside of the fruit is soft and encloses a hard shell that protects the kernel. The kernel is the actual almond. The brown seed coat contains antioxidants to prevent the nut from turning rancid.
Almond trees are located in various countries, including southern Europe and Morocco, Israel, Iran, China, Australia, Argentina and the USA (California). The fruits borne by these almond trees contain high levels of monounsaturated fat.
Practical Uses
Sweet almonds have an oval, flattened or roundish shape and a sweet flavor. People eat them raw or roasted, on their own or in pastries, cakes, confectionery and marzipan.
Bitter almonds are smaller and more pointed in shape. They have a bitter, astringent taste. They contain 2-4 percent of the glycoside amygdalin, which releases harmful prussic acid when eaten by humans.
Eating seven to ten raw bitter almonds can cause severe problems in adults and could be fatal to children. Boiling or baking the nuts destroys most of the harmful acid. However, it is from bitter almonds that most almond oil is extracted.
Culture, Myth and Symbol of Amygdalus
Almonds have been around since the beginning of civilization. They are a sign of spring, and they also represent the “White Goddess.” The name for almonds in Semitic languages can be traced back to the Sumerian word for “Great Mother”.
The ancient Phrygians believed that the almond was the parent of everything on Earth. They believed that a hermaphrodite monster called Agdistis appeared and scared the gods. The gods castrated it and turned it into the Great Mother, Cybele. But from the spilled blood rose two trees, an almond and a pomegranate.
Many years later, Attis, the divine child of the goddess Cybele was conceived by the daughter of a river spirit as she ate an almond or pomegranate seed. Such ancient tales illustrate how much power and creation is behind the humble almond.
Jewish Symbolism on Almond Tree
The almond was originally seen as a Tree of Life by the tribes of Israel. Moses’ staff was made out of an almond (Numbers 17:8) and it was called the “rod of God” (Exodus 17:9). It was said to have been passed down from Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Joseph who took it to Egypt.
The almond on the staff of Moses is ironic, as he was told to eliminate the ancient Goddess religion in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:1 and 34:13). His stick, on the other hand, became the scepter of Israel’s kings for many generations. Christian patriarchs’ “shepherd staves” later followed this custom. And even now, the Pope uses a crosier as his emblem.
It’s ironic to think that, in Christianity’s early years, many people were accused of heresy for carrying pieces of “pagan” sacred wood. Things like talismans functioned as staffs and wands did for magicians–as tools of power associated with divine justification for rulership.
The almond’s true meaning, however, has nothing to do with power and everything to do with the divine light that equally embraces us all. This is seen in one of the almond’s other ancient names: luz, which means “light” in Aramaic. The name also belongs to the mythical City of Almond from Canaanite lore (worshippers of Astarte).
Judaism adopted these customs. Jacob slept at Luz, an almond sanctuary in Canaan, where the Lord appeared to him (Genesis 28:11–19). In Judaism, the tree of light was established as a metaphor for the heavenly light that emanated from the almond.
The menorah is a candlestick with seven lights. There is one light for each planet. The menorah in Solomon’s Temple at Jerusalem had almond-shaped sconces to represent Aaron’s rod when it broke out in buds. Some people say that the almond is a special kind of tree that can lead you to a paradise city where the angel of death can’t get you.
The almond tree and the vertebra at the end of the spinal column have the same name in Aramaic. This may be because this part of the body is seen as important for life coming back after death. There is a parallel between this idea and how ancient Egyptians see the Djed-pillar of Osiris. It makes sense in light of teachings about Kundalini yoga and Taoist practice, which say that there is an energy gate at the base of the spine where kundalini enters the physical body.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for almond, shaqed, is linked to the word shoqed, which means “to watch over.” This connects the almond tree with the divine presence.
Almond Tree Branch Symbolism
The almond tree has long been used as a symbol of awakening and renewal. The blossoming of its delicate pink and white flowers marks the start of spring, giving way to the tree’s edible fruits later in the season.
In Jewish tradition, bowls of almonds are often placed on the Passover seder plate as a symbol of new life, while in Christian art, almond branches signify the Virgin Mary.
The shape of the almond itself is thought to resemble a womb or a dove, further reinforcing the theme of rebirth and regeneration.
The symbolism of almond branches can also be seen in Greek mythology, where they were associated with Aphrodite – the goddess of love and fertility.
Overall, the almond tree represents renewal and new beginnings, making it an enduring symbol in various cultures and religions throughout history.
Almond Tree Blossom Meaning
The almond tree is known for its beautiful pink and white blossoms, which often appear before the tree’s leaves in early spring. These almond tree blooms have long held significance in many cultures, symbolizing hope, promise, and new beginnings.
In Chinese culture, almond blossoms are a sign of endurance and good luck, while in Syria they symbolize feminine beauty. In Christian symbolism, almond blossoms represent the Virgin Mary and the annunciation of Jesus’s birth.
The almond tree’s delicate flowers may only last for a few weeks, but their symbolism endures throughout history and across cultures.
So next time you see almond tree blossoms blooming, take a moment to appreciate their beauty and deep meaning.
Almond Tree Meaning in Dreams
In the world of dream interpretation, the almond tree can symbolize potential and promise. Often seen as an ancient symbol of fertility and renewal, the almond tree in a dream may suggest new beginnings or possibilities on the horizon.
It can also signify abundance, growth, and prosperity in your life. In some cases, the almond tree may represent protection or defense, particularly regarding your boundaries and relationships with others.
However, be cautious if the almond tree appears withered or barren in your dream – this may signal difficulties or problems ahead.
Ultimately, it is important to consider the specific context of the dream and your associations with almond trees to uncover its true meaning for you.
What Does the Bible say About Almond Trees?
The Bible references almonds several times, primarily in the Old Testament. In the book of Genesis, God tells Abraham that Sarah will have a son “when the almond tree blooms” (Genesis 18:11).
In Numbers 17:8, Aaron’s blossoming rod is said to be from an almond tree. In Jeremiah 1:11-12, God uses an almond tree as a symbol of his watchful eye over his people. In 1 Kings 6:18, Solomon uses almond wood to make part of the furnishings for his temple.
Overall, it’s clear that almonds were considered a symbol of promise and prosperity in Biblical times.
Interestingly, archaeologists have found evidence that almonds were one of the earliest domesticated trees in the Middle East, with evidence dating back to 7000 B.C.E. So not only were they important symbolically, but they were also a valuable and versatile source of food and materials for ancient societies.
Today, we continue to enjoy almonds as a tasty and nutritious snack – but perhaps it’s worthwhile to consider their deeper significance described in the Bible.
The delicious kernel, the actual “almond”, is protected in a hard shell, which in turn is housed in a soft but inedible husk.
Conclusion
Almond tree symbolism has been around for centuries and can be found in various cultures and religions.
The tree is known for its delicate pink and white blossoms, which symbolize hope, promise, new beginnings, feminine beauty, endurance and good luck while in dreams, the almond tree may represent potential or promise.