Melia azedarach (paternostertræ) 1649 - 1659

This is Hans Simon Holtzbecker’s botanical illustration of Melia azedarach, created during the 17th century. The very choice of the Melia azedarach as a subject brings to mind a multitude of associations. Also known as the Bead Tree or Persian Lilac, the plant's seeds have been used for centuries to create rosaries and prayer beads. The image thus becomes an emblem of spiritual contemplation, echoing ancient symbolic systems where plants connect the earthly and the divine. Consider the 'Tree of Life,' a motif that appears across cultures from ancient Egypt to Norse mythology, symbolizing immortality and interconnectedness. Holtzbecker's botanical study evokes this tradition. The rendering is not merely a scientific record but resonates with the deep human desire to find meaning in the natural world. This almost subconscious act of endowing an image with layers of historical and cultural significance highlights how symbols resurface, transform, and take on new meanings through time.