Axis Mundi: The Legends, the Folklore & the Myths (Essay Sample)

Axis Mundi: The Legends, the Folklore & the Myths What is the Axis Mundi There are many names that describe the nature and function of the axis mundi. It is known as the world pillar, cosmic axis, or more obviously the center of the world. These are but a few of the names that describe a belief that is found in all cultures around the world. To keep the definition simple, axis mundi just means where heaven meets the earth. This idea that there is a place where heaven and earth meet is not limited by geography or religious beliefs. The importance of the axis mundi is communication. It is this point where many humans think they can communicate directly with their celestial gods. It is also the point where humans can receive blessing from their gods. The interesting fact about the axis mundi is that it is not restricted to just one point on earth. Multiple points can be seen as the axis mundi all at the same time. It is also not limited to one specific geographical point, or earthly design. Mountains Can Be the Axis Mundi Mountains are one of the more popular points where the ancients believed the earth connected to heaven. For the Sioux Indians in Dakota, the Black Hills were their center of the earth. The Japanese held that Mt. Fuji was the actual connection. For the Chinese it was a mythical mountain called Mount Kunlun, while the Hindus of India believed that it was both Mount Meru and Mount Kailash. Mount Meru is located in India and Mount Kailash is found in Tibet. The Greeks thought Mt. Olympus was the connection between heaven and earth. The Aztecs held that Machu Picchu was the spiritual center of the world and built their own village there for better access to their spiritual gods. Mountains come with a special quality all their own as they hare perceived to be strong, majestic and their height makes them close to heaven. We can add the temple mount to this list due to the resurrection story in the Bible and Mohammad’s rise to heaven. The spiritual beliefs play a great role in how early civilizations viewed the axis mundi. Geographical Locations are Not Disqualified Countries and cities were often depicted as axis mundi. Whether it is ego or religious belief is sometimes hard to tell. Both the Chinese and the ancient Egyptians felt that their kingdoms were the center of the earth and had special connections to the heavens. On an early medieval map, the city of Jerusalem was placed in the center of the world with each continent coming out of it like a spoke in a wheel. The Muslims hold that the city of Mecca has the special connection to the celestial world. Buildings were not ignored The flexibility of the axis mundi did not stop with natural formations or geographical locations. The ancient Sumerians and Babylonians held that buildings could connect with the heavens and built ziggurats to prove their point. These artificial mountains were designed specifically for communication and attachment to the celestial world above. The Khmer of early Cambodia built Angor Wat for the same reasons. The design of the temple mirrored mount Meru adding to the idea that Angor Wat was a special place to connect and communicate with the gods. It would seem that geography played a role in how an axis mundi was created. Cambodia, Sumer and Babylon are not known as mountainous countries or having very high mountains. Replacements had to be made to make up for this void of ownership of such an important part of human life and culture. Nature can be considered to be an axis mundi Norse mythology leads us to their belief that one tree holds 9 different worldly systems. Then the pathway could have no visible shape and Shamans were thought to have the power to travel to different worlds to learn how to heal, gain wisdom and retrieve souls. Not to be left out, many people consider the human body to be able to have this special connection to the ce...