The Assyrian tree of life was represented by a series of nodes and crisscrossing lines. Ancient Mesopotamia Assyrian tree of life, from Nimrud panels. The two characters may variously represent rulers, gods, and even a deity and a human follower. According to professor Elvyra Usačiovaitė, a 'typical' imagery preserved in ancient iconography is that of two symmetrical figures facing each other, with a tree standing in the middle.
They had their origin in religious symbolism. Various trees of life are recounted in folklore, culture and fiction, often relating to immortality or fertility.
