Spiritual Function
In the Baha'i faith, the root symbolizes an initial causation or starting point. All humanity has the same starting point. That starting point is Adam, the first human. But, ideologies, prejudices, and other similar constructs can have roots as well. A healthy root is one that receives nutrients from the Sun. If the leaves can't receive the light from the Sun, the roots will surely die. [text] [text] [text]
Practical Function
A root is often the symbol of an initial causation or starting point. So, it's important to understand how many things actually start off in the imagination of a single person. Imagination springs forth scientific theories, social movements, revolutions and more. But, just because your imagination jolts you out of sleep in the middle of the night, doesn't make it right about everything. Imagination should always be confined by the truth. Furthermore, the truth always comes from the word of God. Thus, the word of God should be the root of all of your thoughts. This is the only way that your imagination will yield fruit. [text]
The Sun shines on all creation. But, as individuals, we must constantly humble ourselves before the truths that we discover. Any ideology rooted in falsehood will be destroyed by the Sun. So, try to stay away from academic theories designed to further a cause other than truth. As humans we must maximize our conception through learning. But, never become arrogant. The roots of your misconceptions will be constantly destroyed and your garden will be replenished in truth. [text]
Relation to the Sun
The Sun is related to the roots by way of clouds and rain. The clouds obscure the Sun. But, the rain removes the clouds while watering the soil. As a result of the rain, the roots receive water from the clouds. Also, with the clouds out of the way, the Sun can feed nutrients to the leaves. Then the leaves can feed nutrients to the roots. [text]
Related Quotes
"had not the Book of the Covenant, like unto the ray of the Sun of Reality, illuminated the world, the forces of the Cause of God would have been utterly scattered and certain souls who were the prisoners of their own passions and lusts would have taken into their hands an axe, cutting the root of this Blessed Tree." - Abdu'l Baha
"Some say that human existence is among those things that have appeared in the world of being and that are due to the exigencies of nature. Were this true, man would be the branch and nature the root. But is it possible that there could exist a will, a consciousness, and certain perfections in the branch which are absent in the root?" - Abdu'l Baha
"the human mind being the comprehender thereof, and certainly the comprehender is greater than that which lieth within its grasp; for imagination is but the branch, while mind is the root; and certainly the root is greater than the branch." - Abdu'l Baha
Related Symbols