In Christian tradition, mountains are symbolic icons that reference the early temple. Whether the ancient temple itself, or a genuine mountain, the idea of safety, or being closer to God, or as a visible symbolism of God, holds certain religious inference. A few Biblical examples: (Exodus 24:12-18, Isaiah 2:1-5 & Micah 4:2 & 7).
Having done some study of mountains as symbols of God (or as things of sacred symbolism) in virtually every religious or cultural belief system, in the many countries of the world (Christian or not), it seems there is some common connection or point of origin. Like the story of the great flood, which appears in so many cultural beliefs and traditions through out the world. And the idea of ritual washings that, likewise, appear as common practice in many countries and religious cultures. Too, the idea of ritual, below-ground, ceremonies are common place in many ancient cultures, as is the idea of rebirth, and the idea of circular ceremonial centers, honoring the dead, expectations of seeing the dead when we die. Also the Biblical “Sun God.“ There must be some common background, or a point of common origin that was, somehow, later dispersed throughout the world, and became a part of the many cultures of the world; which yet remain in our cultures as very stubborn, religious symbolisms.
I think there is no need to refer to unknown elements to explain most common elements. For example, I think there is no need to think about contacts between ancient cultures to explain the mythologization of mountains, washing in water, flood, rebirth and so on. It is us those who are different. I mean, dealing with important events and elements of life by adopting an abstract kind of thinking, typical of philosophy, is a relatively recent mental attitude. The most ancient attitude is by narratives instead. They found easily natural, spontaneous, instinctive, to build tales, myths, narratives, to approach great events, facts and things. I am tempted to find in dreams a confirmation that this narrative way is the most natural and instinctive human way of elaborating emotions and experiences. In dreaming our mind does spontaneously the same thing that we find in the myths of the different cultures in the world: building tales and narrative. It has been noticed that actually even working with the most abstract things, which is numbers, maths, has its origin in narratives: it's not by chance that words like counting, accounting, teller, despite being referred to numbers, are etymologically connected with telling, that is telling stories, telling narratives. It is our contemporary mentality, largely influenced by scientific abstraction, that finds narratives something special, surprising. But actually the opposite is true: narrating, mythologizing, seems to be one of most natural, easy and instinctive human activity. We have just lost it in favour of science,which now makes us surprised when we find so many similar narratives in ancient cultures.
Angelo Cannata
I find your take on my question, interesting. In reality, as far as my own “reasoning” can determine; there are only two (possibly three) possible answers:
1. Your explanation: That is, people tend to come up with similar explanations or beliefs, since their brains function similarly within the unknown.
2. There was a common origin for those beliefs, way back in time; our common past instilled common memories and they just keep being passed on, generation to generation.
And the “maybe” in my initial statement (current)?
3. There is an overriding teaching that was given to us early on. Perhaps the origin was lost, but the teachings remain, persistent with time. Perhaps altered from the original, but the basic substance remains. I would think if the latter, then I must believe it is a teaching that can be rediscovered, with the correct effort (if the substance can be found, or pieced together, from the remaining, persistent evidence).
Thank you for your response, it is appreciated.
Another very common feature is the snake or serpent, or feathered serpent, or flying serpent, or dragon. Reference the medical symbol of a serpent raised up on a pole (I.e. The biblical serpent on a pole used for healing by Moses), also used as a universal symbol for the medical practices. And the mountain, or pyramid. These things, these universal symbols are everywhere.
The tree of life is yet another one of these iconic symbols that are so common to a great many religions or very historic recorded traditions. The symbol is literally everywhere. I must ask, was there originally one religious belief that taught all these individual beliefs, symbols and practices? Or, …have all these religious beliefs and practices been universally adopted for some reason??? Was there, once, a universal teaching? Or, do they ring true to some innate, inherited need with in us?
I find it difficult to believe that stories would be this similar, I find it difficult to believe that symbolism would be so closely related; without a common origin, without a single source. The actual differences, over time, it seems to me, are expected over time without the constant presence of the origin. Or without an original written documentation. There are too many opportunities, over time, for change, (accidental, political, cultural, forgotten details, embellishments, etc). It’s almost like we needed …some sort of all knowing, dependable source for truth so that truth (if it existed at all) would stay around instead of changing over time, differently for each culture.
Each new origin (say break-aways), would differ from the original in some ways, causing the break-aways. These differences would change with time, new differences developing, old differences expanding, teachings changing over time. Typical for what occurred to Christianity. My theory: without something to cause a stabilization of the teachings (including the original teachings) they will simply alter over time. There needs to be an “active” stabilizing influence to maintain consistency. With out it, change is inevitable.
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