Banyan Tree

By Eliesta Handitya

I have this story of a fig tree. I am thinking about it because the fig is something seen as a mythical being in my culture, in Japanese culture. It is a weeping fig — or banyan, we can say banyan. It is a very old tree. In Japanese culture, it is often felt as a mythical presence. When you are near a banyan tree, you can feel a certain energy. It draws you in. It can feel like a scene from a horror story, or something deeply mythical. Sometimes it is seen as a totem.

The banyan has two sides, two meanings. In horror, it can be seen as something dark or frightening. But it can also be something positive. When you see a banyan tree, you are drawn to it. I explored this idea in a small project with my friends some years ago — that the banyan tree carries this kind of energy because of its long, extending roots and its presence. It nurtures everything around it. It is like the mother of the forest. It is a symbol of life. It is a large tree that supports and sustains other trees and the forest itself. Even in stillness, it gives life to the surrounding community.

Its roots are central — the main source of life — and it gives that life to other trees. At the same time, trees give life to what surrounds them, including humans. The roots also hold water, helping to create rivers that flow from the mountains to the villages. In this way, it gives life completely. At the top of the tree, there are birds. It is not only for humans or trees, but also for birds and other creatures. Because of its long and complex roots, it supports many forms of life. These roots also connect with the soil. We live with microbiomes — not only in our bodies, but also in the soil. There are many living things there that we cannot see, but they exist and help sustain life. It is all part of a cycle of life.