<P> Jewish mysticism depicts the Tree of Life in the form of ten interconnected nodes, as the central symbol of the Kabbalah . It comprises the ten Sephirot powers in the Divine realm . The panentheistic and anthropomorphic emphasis of this emanationist theology interpreted the Torah, Jewish observance, and the purpose of Creation as the symbolic esoteric drama of unification in the Sephirot, restoring harmony to Creation . From the time of the Renaissance onwards, Jewish Kabbalah became incorporated as an important tradition in non-Jewish Western culture, first through its adoption by Christian Cabala, and continuing in Western esotericism occult Hermetic Qabalah . These adapted the Judaic Kabbalah Tree of Life syncretically by associating it with other religious traditions, esoteric theologies, and magical practices . </P> <P> The concept of world trees is a prevalent motif in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cosmologies and iconography . World trees embodied the four cardinal directions, which represented also the fourfold nature of a central world tree, a symbolic axis mundi connecting the planes of the Underworld and the sky with that of the terrestrial world . </P> <P> Depictions of world trees, both in their directional and central aspects, are found in the art and mythological traditions of cultures such as the Maya, Aztec, Izapan, Mixtec, Olmec, and others, dating to at least the Mid / Late Formative periods of Mesoamerican chronology . Among the Maya, the central world tree was conceived as or represented by a ceiba tree, and is known variously as a wacah chan or yax imix che, depending on the Mayan language . The trunk of the tree could also be represented by an upright caiman, whose skin evokes the tree's spiny trunk . </P> <P> Directional world trees are also associated with the four Yearbearers in Mesoamerican calendars, and the directional colors and deities . Mesoamerican codices which have this association outlined include the Dresden, Borgia and Fejérváry - Mayer codices . It is supposed that Mesoamerican sites and ceremonial centers frequently had actual trees planted at each of the four cardinal directions, representing the quadripartite concept . </P>

What are branches of the tree of life termed