![]() In the province of Pannonia, the lesser-known Gepids had assimilated among the Avars, beginning a process of cultural fusion. Vikings themselves first raided Constantinople, then “convinced” the emperor to keep them in his hire as the Varangian Guard. They remained, regularly harrassing the Eastern Roman army and other tribal peoples. The 3rd century AD saw incursions of Germanic tribes – Goths, Bastarni, Skiri, Gepids and others – into the Balkans. From northern and central Europe, Gothic tribes spread initially eastward, encountering Scythians and Sarmatians, then southward, encountering Dacians. Let us remember that the presence of Germanic tribes was widespread by the coming of the new era. Each shows both roots and crown of the tree, and both persist as decorative motifs. Still, these realms are connected by a tree, believed to be a willow ( vrba), linden ( lipa) or oak ( hrast, dub) among the various Slavic nations. Serb folk belief only has the concept of three worlds: lower, middle, upper, with the upper one sometimes divided into two zones, one like a garden and the most important one of pure light. ![]() It is very much like the mythical Scandinavian tree, Yggdrasil, which supported Earth and connected it to nine mystical realms ( hence, why we speak of being on cloud nine in English ). Naturally, this is a widespread symbol, not unique to Slavic or Serbian culture. It became part of Persian ornamental art, and this version came to the Balkans via Byzantium, where it had taken on Christian symbolic meaning – eternal life, resurrection, the eternal soul. It was often also associated with a spring or fountain, as an additional symbol of the power of the life force. The symbolic Tree of Life is found as early as ancient Assyria, where it took the form of a palmetto or date palm. Alongside its ritual and religious use, this symbol entered every aspect of Slavic and Serbian decorative art, from stone and wood carving to weaving and embroidery. Slavic cultures are no exception the Tree of Life had robust meaning in both Pagan and Christian culture. The Tree of Life is known throughout Indo-European cultures, with ancient roots. ![]()
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