Plants and Their Religious Uses

Plants and Their Religious Uses: A Sacred Connection

From the time of the Old Testament to our modern age, plants have been utilized for a wide variety of uses. One such use is the usage of plants for religious purposes. Such applications include their use in Christian and Jewish tradition, medicine, superstition, Shamanism, and magic. From the Hebrews to the Egyptians, from Priests to modern Shaman, a wide variety of peoples have used an even wider assortment of plants, such as herbs, flowers, and trees, for tribal, spiritual, and supernatural purposes.

The history of plants’ consideration as religious or spiritual beings is uncertain. Many of the ideas that have formed such a view appear to stem from superstition and the belief that there is something bigger controlling the universe. Whether God, divine spirit, or loa, man has tried for centuries to define the undefinable; the question to reign many religions has been, “Who- or what- is controlling our universe and our lives?” The attempt to bring the immeasurable down to a size we as humans can understand has resulted in the apparent deistic and/or theistic nature of plants.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to the world of plan

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Hemp also plays an important part meditative rituals performed by the Tantric Buddhist, who dwell in the Himalayas. In particular, the Grapevine became a key symbol of the Hebrew people, as grapes were characteristic of the Promised Land, Canaan.

Several modernly popular flowers are known for their symbolism as well, and have been known for their superstitious qualities. These healings and systems have become a modern mystery; how they work is unexplainable, yet they have been said to be one of the most time-tested systems for healing. This plant is stated in scripture to symbolize divine generosity. The Assyrians believed that the Tree of Life was a Date tree, which to them was a symbol of conception. This plant was used by Native Americans, specifically Cree-Indians, in divine worship.

While the afore stated plants, among others, were found primarily in the Old Testament scriptures, several other plants are mentioned in the New Testament, or Christian, scriptures as well. Anise, or Dill, was used in liquid-form as a sleep-inducing agent for children. The legend of the Tree of Poisons is probably based on the Bausor Tree, a tree that produced a poison that was used by natives on the tips of arrows. Giving rise to a highly pleasurable experience, the person who consumed the plant also experienced a sense of entering another world, which led to the development of the religious belief that the plant served as a medium between our world and the spirit world. Voodoo

The last area of religion to be considered specifically is Voodoo.

Approximate Word count = 2924
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)

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