Sacred Mountains of the World

A fascinating exploration of the symbolism of mountains in the mythologies, religions, literature, and art of cultures around the world.

Edwin Bernbaum (Author)

9781108819817, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 March 2022

426 pages, 25 b/w illus. 2 maps
25.2 x 17.7 x 2 cm, 0.9 kg

'Pilgrimage to sacred mountains is both an ancient impulse and a vital ongoing imperative. Ed Bernbaum understands this as no other, and with this beautiful new edition of his classic book, he gives us all an extended roadmap to hidden lands where heaven and earth converge on a regular basis to reveal glimpses of the divine. If religion concerns death and eternity, the sacred, Bernbaum reminds us, is all about life, the glory of what exists in this moment on this blue jewel of a planet.' Wade Davis, Professor of Anthropology and Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk, University of British Columbia, Author of Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest

From the Andes to the Himalayas, mountains have an extraordinary power to evoke a sense of the sacred. In the overwhelming wonder and awe that these dramatic features of the landscape awaken, people experience something of deeper significance that imbues their lives with meaning and vitality. Drawing on his extensive research and personal experience as a scholar and climber, Edwin Bernbaum's Sacred Mountains of the World takes the reader on a fascinating journey exploring the role of mountains in the mythologies, religions, history, literature, and art of cultures around the world. Bernbaum delves into the spiritual dimensions of mountaineering and the implications of sacred mountains for environmental and cultural preservation. This beautifully written, evocative book shows how the contemplation of sacred mountains can transform everyday life, even in cities far from the peaks themselves. Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition considers additional sacred mountains, as well as the impacts of climate change on the sacredness of mountains.

Part I. Sacred Mountains around the World: 1. The Himalayas: Abode of the sacred
2. China: Mountains of the middle kingdom
3. Central Asia: The distant ranges
4. Japan: Mountains of the rising sun
5. South and southeast Asia: Cosmic centers
6. The Middle East: Heights of revelation
7. Europe: Paradigms of perfection
8. Africa: Facing the heights
9. North America: The high and the beautiful
10. Latin America: Mountains of vanished empires
11. Oceania: Islands of the sky
Part II. The Power and Mystery of Mountains: 12. The symbolism of sacred mountains
13. Mountains and the sacred in literature and art
14. The spiritual dimensions of mountaineering
15. Sacred mountains, the environment, and everyday life.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Ancient religions & mythologies [HRKP], History of religion [HRAX], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Literary studies: general [DSB]