MOUNTAIN IN SACRED SPACE: MYTH AND POETRY ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article examines the sacred mountain model within mythological consciousness. In mythology, the mountain primarily signifies the "navel of the earth" and establishes a vertical spatial model that unites the underworld, the earthly realm, and the celestial sphere. The mountain's role as a vertical axis ensuring harmony among these three worlds is interpreted not only within the context of the sacred but also as a universal element of cosmogonic mythology, functionally comparable to the World Tree that marks the center of the cosmos. The study analyzes the mountain model—conceptualized as the "navel of the earth" and a sacred space connecting the three levels of existence—as it has become embedded in artistic consciousness. By comparing mythological traditions and folklore from Chinese, Indian, Tibetan, and Caucasian peoples, the article identifies the shared functions of this model.

The research also examines the mountain model and its associated cult within the folklore of Turkic-Mongolic and Altaic peoples. Through an analysis of sacred figures such as Ulgen, Erlik, Uch-Kurbustan, and Burkhan, the significance of the Altai region in cosmogonic myths is revealed. Altai is conceptualized as the source of several ancient civilizations and a primordial homeland where diverse systems of worldview developed in parallel. This sacred space served as a meeting point for archaic beliefs and religious concepts that emerged later. In this context, the study investigates the significance and interrelationships of sacred Altai sites—such as Belukha (Muztau), Uch-Syure, and the Gates of Shambhala—within Buddhist and shamanic worldviews. Furthermore, the sacred mountains of Burkhan-Khaldun, Kazygurt, Ararat, Sinai, and Parnassus are analyzed from a comparative-typological perspective.