Symbolism of Menorah, the Seven-Branched Hebrew Lampstand

Menorah, one of the most prominent symbols of Jewish religion, has its origin in the Bible, and is believed by Jews that it is made by Moses for the Ark of Covenant, according to the God's command. Menorah was the most popular symbol of Judaism till Middle Ages and it is evident in graffiti and mosaics of synagogues, container engravings, stone carvings, graves of the dead, stone sarcophaguses, glassworks and etc. Focusing on consideration of the symbol’s origins and roots leads us to a wide range of meanings like the roots of Bible itself and the impressions this religion has got from the oldest ancient civilizations. In most religions and also in Judaism the presence of God is accompanied by lite or fire which are the symbols of awareness and wisdom. Such that one of its main meanings is considered to be the symbol of God’s presence and the lite of his recognition. Menorah also is considered to be the symbol of tree of life, tree of knowledge, the seven planets, seven heavens, seven days of creation, seven archangels and etc. Some experts relate its design to fertility goddesses and the sacred trees which are the symbols of those goddesses.