Wisdom & Awakening
A heart-shaped leaf with a long, graceful tip. The leaf of the sacred fig is one of the most cherished symbols in Buddhism, and especially close to our hearts in Sri Lanka.
Chapter I
According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment while meditating beneath a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) at Bodh Gaya in India, about two and a half thousand years ago. The tree became known as the Bodhi tree, the tree of awakening.
In Sri Lanka, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura is said to have grown from a branch of that original tree, brought to the island in the third century BCE by the nun Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka. It is honoured as one of the oldest trees in the world planted by people with a recorded date.
Chapter II
The Bodhi leaf is traditionally a symbol of awakening, wisdom and the potential for enlightenment within everyone. Its heart shape is often linked with compassion.
The sacred fig is also revered in Hindu tradition, where it is known as the peepal tree.
Chapter III
For Buddhists, the Bodhi tree is a place of pilgrimage and quiet devotion, and its leaves are treated with respect. Wearing a Bodhi leaf can be a personal reminder of patience, reflection and kindness.
We present this symbol with deep respect for the living tradition it belongs to.
Chapter IV
The leaf's long tip, known as a drip tip, helps rain run off in tropical climates. We pair the Bodhi leaf with yellow sapphire, a warm gemstone found in Sri Lanka, and with fresh green tourmaline that recalls the living leaf.
Our Bodhi leaf is drawn with fine veins traced in champagne gold, following the shape of a real sacred fig leaf. A small gemstone rests on the leaf like a drop of morning dew.
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We share these symbols with respect for the cultures and living traditions they come from. Meanings described here are traditional interpretations; our jewellery makes no healing, protective or spiritual claims.
