tree of life /triː/ /lʌɪf/ noun
1. (BIBLE) the tree in the Garden of Eden bearing fruit which gave eternal life (Gen. 3:22–24).
A branching, tree-like structure representing the evolutionary divergence of all living creatures.
(KABBALAH) a diagram in the form of a tree bearing spheres which represent the Sefirot
The concept of a 'Tree of Life' is a widespread archetype in mythology, widely found within religious and philosophical tradition connecting all forms of creation.
Although there are many different depictions of the Tree of Life, this particular design was inspired by Kabbalah (a set of esoteric teachings which attempt to define the relationship between the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence).
"The tree, visually or conceptually, represents as a series of divine emanations God's creation itself ex nihilo, the nature of revealed divinity, the human soul, and the spiritual path of ascent by man. In this way, Kabbalists developed the symbol into a full model of reality, using the tree to depict a map of Creation."