Paper short abstract:

I take a look at larger groups of beliefs and rituals: the living tree, the human -tree relationships, , the concept of one’s own tree and one’s own plant, and their role in the rituals and healing of the arc of life.

Paper long abstract:

The boundaries of living and inanimate between the human and animal, human and plant worlds have provided food for thought over the centuries, and several older ideas have reappeared in new forms of religion and ritual. Namely, ideas about the life of trees and plants, the possibility of communication with trees and other connections between people and plants are visible in today's culture. Based on approach of T. Agapkina, O. Loorits, I. Paulson, I take a look at larger groups of beliefs and rituals: the living tree, the human doppelganger in the form of a tree, the concept of one’s own tree and one’s own plant, and their role in the rituals and healing of the arc of life. The role of trees versus forests in today’s national identity. The custom of planting a name tree for important events in life (birth, wedding). A direct connection was believed to prevail between a person and his named tree: based on the growth of the tree and its condition, the fate of a person was predicted, including diseases and his death (if the tree is stunted or dries up, then the same will happen to a particular person). I will briefly describe the main features of the custom in 1940-1990 and the continuation of life in the contemporary religiously diverse environment. Places of worship, including trees as part of national identity, cause heated debate and protest, including related to climate and Green Movement activities.

The report is based on older manuscripts and data from new surveys. There are parallels to the phenomena of earlier religion in today’s culture.