The Sacred fig is a species of banyan fig native to south-east Asia. It occurs in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, the Indochinese Peninsula, south-western China, and Vietnam. The Sacred fig and become over 30 meters (100 feet) tall and develop a trunk diameter that exceeds 3 meters (10 feet).
The Scared fig is called sacred since it is revered to the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. I South East Asia, the Sacred fig has become a symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good fortune. According to Buddhist teachings, Siddhartha Gautama was meditating under a Bo tree (the local name for the Sacred fig) when he was enlightened (Bodhi) or awakened (Buddha).
The scientific name of the Sacred fig is Ficus religiosa. In Asia, it is known under many different local names, such as Bo, Pou, Pipal, Peepal, Peepul, Pimpal, Pippala and Arali. Bo and Pou comes from the Sinhalese word Bo. In Thai, the Sacred fig is referred to as Bodhi.
Hindus commonly call the Sacred fig Ashvastha or Assattha, and according to their mythology the Sacred fig is a tree of eternal life that has its roots in the heavens. It is frequently mentioned in Hindu texts and the fire sticks used in Hindu sacrificial fire contain dried wood from the Sacred fig tree.
