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Glite Dictionary
Ficus religiosa

Ficus religiosa

9.9
A large fig tree from India with heart-shaped leaves often seen as sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Ficus religiosa
  • Buddhists revere the Ficus religiosa as the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

Examples

  • The Ficus religiosa is often planted near temples in India for its spiritual significance.

  • Unlike the banyan, the Ficus religiosa does not have prop roots but can live for centuries.

  • The Ficus religiosa is revered in many cultures.

  • Many people meditate under the Ficus religiosa tree.

  • Buddhists revere the Ficus religiosa as the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

  • The Ficus religiosa is often planted near temples in India for its spiritual significance.

  • Many people meditate under the Ficus religiosa tree to find peace and clarity.

Synonyms

sacred fig
vsFicus religiosa
  • Indian
8.7

A large fig tree from India that people in Buddhism and Hinduism consider holy

is the scientific species name for that same tree
bo tree
vsFicus religiosa
  • Literature
9.9

A large holy fig tree that Buddhists honour because the Buddha sat under it and became enlightened

is the scientific species name used for that tree
peepul
vsFicus religiosa
  • Indian
9.9

A large fig tree native to India that is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus

is the formal species name rather than the common name
pipul
vsFicus religiosa
  • Indian
9.9

A large fig tree from India and Southeast Asia that is sacred to Buddhists and gives much shade

is the species term that highlights religious significance and size
pipal
vsFicus religiosa
  • Indian
9.9

A large fig tree from India considered sacred in Buddhism

is the scientific species name emphasizing religious and historical importance
pipal tree
vsFicus religiosa
  • Indian
9.3

A large fig tree from India often grown near temples and respected in Buddhism

is the species name that also stresses its cultural and religious role
bodhi
vsFicus religiosa
  • Specialized
9.6

A sacred fig tree where the Buddha reached awakening

is the general species label rather than the single famous specimen

Surface Forms

Ficus religiosa singular
Ficus religiosae plural

Morphology

Ficus + religiosa

The binomial combines the genus name 'Ficus' (a fig) with the Latin adjective 'religiosa' (religious), so a learner who knows both elements could plausibly infer 'a religious/sacred fig' and thus approximate the MWE’s meaning. However, 'religiosa' is not an English lexical item and the specific cultural and botanical sense (the sacred fig/Bo tree) requires domain knowledge; therefore the link is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Ficus religiosa, the fig tree, is famous because one popular story says Siddhartha Gautama sat under this tree and reached 'enlightenment', so people called it the 'sacred fig' or 'Bo tree'. That's why the tree is often planted near temples, is seen as holy, and is known for living a long time.