Wishing Trees

Asianati Staff

Oct 11, 2024

Take a moment to reflect on a time when you tried to manifest a desire or wish. Perhaps it was something as simple as blowing out your birthday candles, with the hope of receiving a shiny new toy, or maybe you found yourself praying by the phone, anxiously waiting for someone special to text you back. Now, ask yourself: “Did that wish come true?”

Despite the vast array of cultures and languages that span the globe, one thing connects us all: the power of wishful thinking. This universal experience highlights a fundamental part of being human. Our lives are filled with complex feelings and desires, yet we often feel powerless to influence them. This sense of helplessness can make getting what we want seem truly impossible.

When it feels like there’s no other way to achieve our dreams, what else can we do but wish on something bigger than ourselves? It is this very dynamic—the interplay of powerlessness and wishful thinking—that has drawn people to something many believe to be ancient, powerful, and deeply mystical. In this case, we are taking a look at one significant kind of power in particular: trees. Let’s call them… Wishing Trees.

What is a wishing tree?

Wishing trees are trees that have been specifically chosen, for various different reasons, to serve as symbols of one’s deepest hopes and desires. Though the type of tree and the way of wishing vary from culture to culture, the concept is similar; a humble wish on the tree itself. The types of wishes vary, and while some wish for good health, luck, and prosperity, others may wish for requited love.

Where are wishing trees most popular?

Wishing trees take on many forms depending on the culture. In various Asian countries and religions, it may take the form of hanging strips of paper containing the wishes on the tree or plant itself, such as the case for the Banyan Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees in Hong Kong. At this popular Lunar New Year attraction, wishers previously used joss paper (incense paper) tied to oranges, and threw them into the trees in hopes that they might stick, ensuring that the wish would come true.

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Paper wishes are also seen during the Japanese Tanabata, or Star Festival. These colorful paper wishes, called tanzaku, are hung on a bamboo plant during the festival before being floated onto a body of water and burned as an offering. While these are just some of the cultures that partake in the tradition of wishing on trees, there are many more groups who do so all over the world!
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In parts of Northern and Western India, there is a ritual performed on Peepal tree trunks. The Pipal tree symbolizes the tree of life and is sacred in Hindu religion. A single thread of cotton, representing the fragile nature of life, love, trust, and faith, is wrapped around the Peepal tree trunk 108 times. The single thread no longer is weak or fragile, but rather strong. Just like love, trust, and faith can be strengthened over time with one step.

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For other cultures, including the British Isles, a monetary offering may be customary, as it is for the Coin Trees in England, Scotland, and Wales. To wish on these coin trees, one needs only to hammer a coin into the tree itself. This coin offering may sweeten the deal between the wisher and the all-powerful tree, becoming a sacrifice made in order to prove the depth of the wish.

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Why trees?

In some Western traditions, we may be more familiar with the concept of throwing a coin into a fountain to make a wish. The vessels that hold these wishes might seem random, so we can take a moment to ask ourselves: why trees? In many cultures, for thousands of years and beyond, trees have represented a magnitude of things that are important to humanity. Strength, when we see a tall and mighty oak tree. Wisdom and longevity, when we see the 3,000 year old sequoia, long outlasting the humans who encounter it and surviving against all odds. Even life itself, because what could better represent the idea of life than something that lives and creates, sprouting lush green leaves and nourishing fruits every year? Some cultures believe that trees themselves are supernatural deities or divine beings, worshiping them and bringing them offerings to pay respects.

When we imagine all of the monumental things a single tree could represent to the people around it, it is pretty easy to see why we might place our faith in something so powerful, right?

Does it work? Maybe, maybe not, find out for yourself!

Whether you grew up hanging wishes on trees, throwing them into fountains, or blowing them out on your birthday candles, it’s likely that you’ve believed in the power of a wish at one point in time. So, what do you think now? Will your next wish come true? Will the wish you hang tonight create the reality you are hoping for in this very moment? None of us can be certain, but there is really only one way to truly find out…

Where can I make a wish myself?

During the Asianati Night Market at BLINK, we have a pair of wishing trees available for you to experience. One tree is partnering with our Presenting Sponsor Always, when you make a wish on behalf of someone else, a period kit will be donated to a girl in need.
The other tree gives you the opportunity to make a wish, write a wish, or tie a wish for yourself.

Find these wishing trees at the Asianati Night Market during BLINK - October 17-20 in Downtown Cincinnati.

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