Expanding upon this, the mention of aloeswood or "lign-aloes" in the Bible provides intriguing clues that point towards a tropical Asian location. The Hebrew term for aloeswood, 'ahalim, is associated with tropical eastern India, but it predominantly flourished in ancient and medieval times in Southeast Asia.

For instance, in Genesis 2:8, it is written, "And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." This reference suggests that the garden of Eden, described as a paradise, could have potentially been located in a tropical Asian region.

Moreover, in Numbers 24:6, the Lord is likened to a gardener planting aloe trees. The comparison implies that these aloe trees were abundant and flourishing like the cedars beside the waters. While this passage does not explicitly indicate a specific location, the association of aloe trees with the divine garden reinforces the notion of a tropical Asian landscape.

Interestingly, during medieval times, the aloeswood tree was regarded as the sole remaining representation of vegetation from the Garden of Eden in Christian tradition. This further highlights the significance of these trees in linking biblical references to a tropical Asian setting.

In addition to aloeswood, other biblical texts also provide glimpses into a potential tropical Asian location. For instance, the tree of knowledge, mentioned in Enoch, is depicted as a banana tree in Muslim literature. Described as having the height of a fir tree, leaves resembling carobs, and vine-like clusters of fruit, the banana tree aligns with the qualities mentioned in the biblical narrative. These intriguing parallels suggest that the banana tree could potentially be the tree of knowledge referenced in the Bible.

Furthermore, ancient European folklore often speaks of "golden apples," which could potentially be attributed to bananas. This connection further supports the idea of a tropical Asian landscape being alluded to in biblical and mythological texts.

In order to strengthen this argument and create a more cohesive narrative, it is essential to emphasize the repeated references to tropical Asian elements in different religious traditions. By repurposing these clues and presenting them in a refined and structured manner, we can shed light on the possibility of a tropical Asian location for the biblical Garden of Eden and related mythical symbols.

Agarwood, also known as aloeswood, eaglewood, or gharuwood, is a highly prized and fragrant dark resinous wood that has been used for centuries in the production of incense, perfumes, and small carvings. This precious and aromatic wood is often referred to as "oud" or "oudh" in Arabic.

The formation of agarwood occurs within the heartwood of Aquilaria trees when they become infected with a specific type of mold called Phialophora parasitica. In order to defend itself against the mold, the tree secretes a resin that leads to the creation of agarwood. Before infection occurs, the heartwood of the Aquilaria tree is odorless, light in color, and relatively light in weight. However, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin known as aloes or agar, as well as other names like gaharu, jinko, oud, or oodh aguru. This resin-embedded heartwood becomes dense and dark, resulting in the highly valuable and sought-after agarwood.

The distinct fragrance of the resin-embedded wood has made it highly valued in various East and South Asian cultures, where it is commonly used for the production of incense and perfumes.

One of the main reasons for the rarity and high cost of agarwood is the depletion of the wild resources. The primary source of agarwood, Aquilaria malaccensis, has been listed as a potentially threatened species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora since 1995. In 2004, all Aquilaria species were included in Appendix II, although certain countries have reservations about this listing.

The aromatic qualities of agarwood can vary based on various factors, including the species of the tree, its geographic location, the specific part of the tree (branch, trunk, or root) from which it originates, the length of time since infection, and the methods used for harvesting and processing.