The symbol of the Tree of life may be derived from the Flower of Life. The Tree of life is a concept, a metaphor for common descent, and a motif in various world theologies and philosophies.[28] The Kabbalistic form of the Tree of life has historically been adopted by some Jews, Christians, Hermeticists, and pagans.[29] Along with the Seed of Life, in New Age Qabalah it is believed to be part of the geometry that parallels the cycle of the fruit tree. This relationship is implied when these two forms are superimposed onto each other.[23]
The Tree of Life is most widely recognized as a concept within the Kabbalah, which is used to understand the nature of God and the manner in which he created the world ex nihilo. The Kabbalists developed this concept into a full model of reality, using the tree to depict a "map" of creation. The Tree of Life has been called the "cosmology" of the Kabbalah.[29] Jewish Kabbalists related the Kabbalistic Tree of Life to the Tree of life mentioned in Genesis 2:9.[29]