The Tree of Life: Fig Spiritual Meaning and Magic

Whole and cut fig fruit sitting on a wooden surface.

The Magic of Fig

Fig has been there since the beginning. It was there since dinosaurs roamed the earth, quietly watching these massive, majestic beasts dominate the land. Fig was there providing a powerful food source before humans even discovered the versatility that wheat, barley, and grains would one day provide.

The Fig Tree as the Tree of Life

The fig tree is revered as the Tree of Life in some cultures. In Greek mythology, it is believed that Demeter gave a fig to Dionysus as a gift, hence the link to love and fertility. The Greeks revered figs so much that they made it illegal to transport good-quality figs.

Fig Tree as a Symbol of Enlightenment

The Buddhists view the fig tree as a symbol of enlightenment, as it is believed the Buddha reached his enlightenment under a fig tree. The Romans held figs sacred as well, and it was believed that the wolf who raised Romulus and Remus rested under a fig tree.

Close-up Shot of whole and sliced figs.

The Ancient Power of Fig

The fig is perhaps one of the oldest plants on the planet, originating in Africa, the very cradle of life itself, and recording the history of earth before history was ever recorded.


Fig Magical Correspondences

  • Botanical Name: Ficus Carica
  • Folk Names: Common Fig, Fico, Mhawa, Chagareltin
  • Gender: Masculine
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire
  • Deities: Dionysus, Juno, Isis
  • Magical Attributes: Divination, Prosperity, Fertility, Love

Figs and Fertility Magic

As the copious amount of seeds within the fruit suggests, figs can help with fertility magic. Women have carried figs carved into phallic images to raise their chances of conceiving. Figs are linked to male potency. Men can eat fresh figs to increase their potency and virility, as it increases the motility of male sperm.

Divination Magic with Fig Leaves

To get an answer to a question, you can write the question on a fig leaf; if the leaf takes a long time to dry, the answer is yes, and if it dries quickly, then the answer is no.

Attracting Love with Figs

When looking for love, give a fig to the person you are trying to court. If they like figs, they will be attracted to you.

Figs Attract Prosperity and Good Fortune

Grow figs in the kitchen to ensure your family never goes hungry. Growing figs in the home can bring the household good luck.

More Magical Ways to Use Figs

Fig grown in the bedroom can help with restful sleep. When traveling, leave a fig tree outside of the door. This will ensure you return safe and happy.

A plate of figs sliced in half.

The Healing Power of Figs*

Dried figs can help protect against heart disease. They contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as lower triglycerides, which can all contribute to better coronary health. Figs can help regulate blood sugar, and studies have shown they can reduce the amount of insulin needed by diabetics.

*(See FDA Disclaimer)

Figs are High in Vitamins and Minerals

Figs contain a wellspring of powerful nutrients for the body, like Vitamin A, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. As they are high in calcium and phosphorous, they also contribute to bone health by helping to build stronger bones and heal bone damage.

Sliced figs on a green platter sitting on a wooden table.

Boosting the Immune System with Figs

Figs can boost the immune system and are a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal. Fig fruit and leaves are sometimes pulverized and gargled to help relieve a sore throat. Fig leaf tea is a potent remedy for respiratory problems, such as bronchitis or asthma.

Figs are High in Fiber

Figs are generously high in fiber, which can help regulate the digestive system. As figs are high in fiber, they can help regulate the bowels, which in turn helps prevent colon cancer.

More Fig Remedies

Figs are used in certain cultures, including India, as a sort of salve to relieve venereal diseases. Figs juice is said to remove warts.

Green figs on a white ceramic bowl lined with paper towel.

Interesting Facts About Figs

  • Figs are native to the Middle East and Western Asia.
  • Fig’s name comes from the Latin word ficus.
  • In Ancient Rome, figs were used to fatten geese in preparation for foie gras.
  • The first fig trees were grown in Africa, and figs have been around for about 100 million years — since the time of the dinosaurs.
  • Figs flower within the fruit itself in a process known as enclosed inflorescence. Hundreds of male and female flowers form within the fruit.
  • Figs are often pollinated by fig wasps, which hatch inside the fruit.
  • 98% of the United States figs come from California.
  • Figs have more sugar than any other fruit. They have a 55% natural sugar content.
  • Fig leaves were often painted into artwork featuring nudity to cover sensitive areas.
  • It is believed that Rome’s first emperor Augustus was poisoned by a fig from his wife coated in poison.
  • Dried figs can be roasted, ground, and used as a healthy alternative to coffee.
  • The “strangler” fig tree is a type of fig tree that strangles other trees to survive. It grows roots at the bottom of a tree, and as it grows, it wraps around the tree and slowly squeezes it to death.
  • Spanish Franciscan missionaries introduced figs to Southern California in 1758, naming them black “mission” figs.
  • Figs aren’t fruit. They are considered a syconium — an extension of a fig branch that turns into a sac containing flowers.
Green figs on a brown stump.

FDA Disclaimer

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