Even if we aren’t artists, our drawings aren’t simply meaningless doodles. Behind them lie unconscious thoughts and feelings that can be analyzed using a special test, so we learn more about ourselves.
The Baum test or “tree test” was introduced by Charles Koch in 1952, and it has been widely used to represent people’s personality traits, highlighting the emotional characteristics of these traits.
The tree you draw is a psychological indicator of behavior due to the fact that trees have served as an important mythological element during the whole history of mankind. Psychologists and psychiatrists take into account many aspects in the analysis of drawings; the concept is similar to the analysis of handwriting.
You can do the test simply for entertainment and relaxation, but also for the purpose of self-analysis.
What you need to do
Take a sheet of paper and a pencil, and draw a tree. Draw quickly, without much thinking, and don’t worry about the quality of the image. Make sure to include the following in your drawing:
- The roots
- The trunk
- The branches
- The leaves and the fruits
Read the rest of the article only after you have finished drawing the tree!
The root
The way you have drawn the roots reveals your attitude to reality. If you didn’t draw roots, it could mean that you are going through a period of uncertainty and anxiety. It may also mean that you aren’t a practical person and you embrace a bohemian side of life.
If you drew thick, strong roots, it means that you are a very pragmatic and rational person, and you are strongly attached to reality. In this case, you may want to consider adopting a more playful and carefree attitude from time to time.
The trunk
The trunk usually symbolizes your personality. Fine lines and shadows suggest timidity. If the trunk of your tree is small, you are a rather withdrawn person. If you drew a large and thick trunk, you possess great inner strength and you aren’t afraid to be outspoken and to show your feelings.
If the trunk is broken or curved, you have a very fragile and sensitive personality, and you are yearning for protection. However, it may only mean that you are going through a period when something worries you, and you need an increased support of your family and friends, or perhaps even the help of a psychologist.
The branches
The way you drew the branches tell about your relationship with the world and the people around you. If you didn’t draw branches at all, or you drew very small branches, you find it difficult to express yourself in front of an audience, and it’s not easy for you to communicate with others and develop relationships. Thick branches suggest a talkative and communicative personality.
Sharp branches indicate aggression, and knurls show difficulties in communicating with others. If you drew with faint lines, it means that people regard you as a very attentive personality, or that you are selective about who you allow into your personal space.
The leaves and flowers
Drawing leaves and flowers represent your attempts to achieve success. If you didn’t draw leaves or flowers, it is quite possible that you don’t believe in your inner strength. Flowers and leaves drawn with special attention may indicate an obsessive-compulsive character. Flowers show an optimistic personality. If you drew fruits, you are a very confident person.
Other aspects
- If you drew a Christmas tree, you are longing for your childhood.
- If you drew holes, it may mean that you’re lacking self-control.
- A weeping willow may mean depression.
What kind of tree did you draw?