Tree of Life Baptism Medals

Understanding the tree of life symbol for a christening

The tree of life is one of the oldest representations of human spirituality, long before it was adopted by religious jewelry. It appears as Etz Chaim in Jewish tradition, as Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, and it opens the story of Genesis in the form of the tree planted at the center of the Garden of Eden. This universality explains why so many godparents choose it: the motif speaks to every family, whether practicing believers or not, without needing any theological explanation.

A motif chosen for its roots as much as its branches

In practical terms, the tree of life appeals because it works on two levels: the roots evoke family and heritage, while the branches represent the child’s future. It’s a genuinely useful argument when choosing between several designs for a christening gift, especially compared with saint medals, which require knowing the child’s patron saint.

What diameter to choose based on the child’s age

Diameter remains the first thing to decide, even before the motif itself. A medal that’s too large on an infant weighs down the chain and keeps flipping over; a medal that’s too small on an adult loses the detail of the engraved foliage.

• 14 to 16 mm: newborn or young child, for a weight and skin contact that stay discreet
• 16 to 18 mm: older child, from First Communion age onward
• 18 to 20 mm: teenager or adult, a diameter that shows off the relief or openwork detail

Openwork medal or solid medal: two ways to read the motif

The openwork version pierces the metal so the branches show through in transparency, which visually lightens the piece and suits discreet everyday wear. The solid version keeps a plain background against which the tree stands out in relief: the motif reads more clearly from a distance, and the solid disc withstands everyday knocks better than an openwork medal, which is more prone to snagging.

Gold, silver or mother-of-pearl: which material for this medal

The choice of material affects both budget and how the piece holds up over time. 18-carat (750/1000) yellow, white or rose gold is solid gold that doesn’t oxidize and keeps its shine for decades with no special care. 9-carat (375/1000) gold contains less precious metal, so it costs less for the same weight, but it’s still genuine gold, sturdy enough for a piece worn every day. Sterling silver 925 is more affordable to buy; unlike gold, however, it can tarnish on contact with air and certain products, which calls for more regular upkeep.

Mother-of-pearl: an organic material best kept for older children

Some tree of life medals pair gold with a mother-of-pearl cabochon for its iridescent shine. Mother-of-pearl is a porous organic material: it doesn’t like water, soap or cosmetics, which makes it a poor fit for an infant who drools or is bathed several times a day. It suits an older child better, one who’s able to take off their jewelry before swimming or bath time.

Chain and engraving: completing the pendant

The medal is worn on a chain matched in color and gold purity: pairing an 18-carat gold pendant with a 9-carat chain creates a visible color mismatch as it wears. Three chain styles come up most often with this type of jewelry:

• Curb chain: soldered oval links, hard-wearing, it won’t deform when a child tugs on their necklace
• Rope chain: tightly twisted links, thin and flat, it catches less on clothing
• Figaro chain: alternating flattened links, wider and more visible on the wrist or neck

For length, allow 36 to 40 cm for a child and 42 to 45 cm for an adult. A christening medal is typically engraved on the back with the first name and the date of the christening: on a 14 to 16 mm diameter, the available space limits the text to just a few characters per line, so you’ll need to choose between the full first name and the date before having it engraved.

Pairing the tree of life with other christening designs

The tree of life pairs well with other Christian symbols if you’re putting together a complete set for the child being christened. Virgin Mary medals and Virgin and Child medals remain the most requested designs for a first christening piece, while the tree of life tends to appeal more to families looking for a less directly figurative symbol. If you’re still undecided, the full range of symbolic medals lets you compare the dove, angel or chi-rho before deciding, and patron saint medals remain an option for anyone who prefers to tie the piece to the child’s exact first name.