El árbol protector y su representación en la literatura medieval y áurea

  1. Cristina Castillo Martínez 1
  1. 1 Universidad de Jaén
    info

    Universidad de Jaén

    Jaén, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0122p5f64

Journal:
eHumanista: Journal of Iberian Studies

ISSN: 1540-5877

Year of publication: 2012

Volume: 21

Pages: 32-55

Type: Article

More publications in: eHumanista: Journal of Iberian Studies

Abstract

The tree is an important element in any description of nature. It is considered a symbol of strength, power and life; but is also a symbol for the protection of helpless characters, especially newborns. It is a feminine archetype, a tree totem, which together with other motifs, such as those of abandonment, marks on the skin or breast-feeding of wild animals allows us to recognize the special path followed by the main protagonist towards his/her special destiny. A set of texts from European literature from the Middle Ages and the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in which the tree serves these functions are utilized as examples