Tree marriage is a form of symbolic proxy marriage between a human and a tree that is said to be infused with supernatural life and may allow a bachelor to become a widower when the tree is felled and thus marry a human widow. [1] Traditionally, Hindus could not marry three times. To avoid this, anyone who had been widowed twice and wanted to look for a new wife had to first celebrate a marriage ceremony with a sahada tree ( Streblus asper ), which was then cut down. [2] It was once widespread in India among cults which believed trees contain hidden sacred medicine, fertility enhancers or souls of the dead and unborn. [1]
In 2007, the Indian actress and former Miss World winner, Aishwarya Rai, announced that she would marry a tree. [3]
The Inquisitr reported that women in San Jacinto Amilpas were marrying trees to protest logging. [4]
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