In a previous blog post (Where Have We Seen the Storybrooke Tree – http://www.onceuponatimepodcast.com/where-have-we-seen-the-storybrooke-tree-before/), we showed you screen caps of times we’ve seen the tree in the town seal and David’s dining room.
We haven’t really seen the real tree just pictures. But in episode 13, we might have actually seen the real tree.
When August brought Emma to the well for their “date”, we see a tree in the background that looks very similar to the Storybrooke tree. See for yourself
Is this the Storybrooke tree we’ve seen in the past on the town seal? Could it be the Tree of Life? Is there a connection to the tree being next to the legendary well?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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Mythologically, The two trees represent those of Eden. The Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil, and The Tree of Eternal Life. The first tree you hit on the way out of Eden, and the other you attain as you return to Eden.
The Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil is that of an Apple tree, like the one in front of Regina’s home and on all of Storybrooke’s city shields and seals. The same tree that Eve took the Apple from and ate, committing the first sin and bringing about the fall of Eden and getting us kicked out!!.
The Tree of Eternal Life is what is attained as you return to Eden, having achieved Nirvana, or Personal spiritual liberation.
That’s fascinating Manny and what you’re saying makes a lot of sense to me on what the 2 trees symbolize in the context of the journey to Storybrooke and the possible return to Fairyland (Eden) .
In addition, the cone structure underneath the apple tree looks to be an old fashioned beehive which makes logical sense since beehives are generally placed in the apple orchard when the trees are in bloom to enhance pollination. But beyond that, one can imagine more intended or unintended symbolisms.
In many cultures (ancient and current) and other organizations, a beehive symbolizes a cooperative, orderly and industrious social hierarchy and have become a symbol on many emblems (eg. Masonic beehive emblem for one).
The apple tree (the tree of knowledge and good and evil) aptly represented by the mayor of Storybrooke who runs the town and has the knowledge of both worlds and is nurtured and sustained as the queen bee by the unaware, orderly ex-Fairyland citizens of Storybrooke . Until Emma came into town and stirred the beehive (sorry I couldn’t resist the pun).
And possibly cumulating with the wishing well (bestowing the powers of knowledge) beneath the tree of eternal life playing a significant role in the return to Fairyland as you are alluding too.
Hey Ken!
Did not know that about Apple trees….(bee hives). Grew up in the Orange orchards! fighting friut bats and Jack Frost!… Your reading of the symbols is spot on! my friend. I find that reading through the symbols often reveals the hidden path…..
I’m going to favorite this page and would like you to do the same.
From here, I believe, we can hatch a few eggs of our own, mythologically and logistically. Book-marking simply makes it easier to find.
In the words of our former governor…” I’ll be bock “
Yes!…. friut bats, as opposed to fruit bats, were the size of volkswagens and could uproot entire trees at one time…. Yes!… it was quite the battle!… 8-)P
Hi Manny. I on the other hand used to spend my youth summers on my uncle’s apple orchard … our environments are as different as apples and oranges I guess ..lol! I avoided bees because I’m somewhat allergic to bee stings.
I’m pretty sure the eternal tree is an oak tree (which the genus itself has many ancient and mythical connotations). I’m wondering if the wardrobe that Emma escaped in was made out of oak wood? I can’t remember if that was specified.
I think I know where ‘the oak tree’ is and when the weather gets warmer I’m going to see if I’m right.
I know where the T(r)oll is also so that’s another spring hike … maybe the location of the war camp and mine site. This show is going to get me into shape. Hasta la vista!
Another quick thing on trees, should they decide to tap another bit of mythology (since they have already brought a bit of greek mythology in.) There is always Yggdrasil, the World Tree, from Norse mythology, a tree so large that its roots extended to different worlds. Possibly even a nod to the fact that these worlds are linked, even if they have no plans on bringing Norse mythology into Storybrooke.
Hey, nice pull Frank!
That tree,Yggdrasil, also comes complete with it’s own wells. The three main roots lead to two other wells and a spirng. Uroarbrunnr, well of the heavens,.. one to the spring, Hvergelmir, and another to the well, Mimisbrunnr… respectively, Heaven, Earth and Hell… sweet!