China (1,301 m) – One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China (southern) The Mount Heng located in Hunan province is also known as the Southern Mount Heng in order to distinguish it from its northerly counterpart in Shanxi. It is the shortest of China’s Five Sacred Mountains and, not surprisingly, the most southerly. It is historically one of the less important of the Five … [Read more...]
MOUNT SONG
China (1,500 m) – One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China (central) Mount Song is midmost of the Five Sacred Peaks and is also known as the “Great Central Mountain”. Despite is central location in Henan Province, it is one of the less prominent of the sacred peaks, and surprisingly isolated, at least compared to Mount Tai. It is sacred to both Taoists and Buddhists, and is … [Read more...]
MOUNT TAI
China (1,532 m) – One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China (east) Mount Tai in Shandong Province is the third highest of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. Representing the east, it is the most accessible, most visited and generally considered to be the most important from a religious standpoint. According to tradition, it was the home of several deities in ancient times, … [Read more...]
MOUNT HENG (NORTHERN)
China (2,017 m) – One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China (north) The Mount Heng located in Shanxi province is also known as the Northern Mount Heng in order to distinguish it from its southerly counterpart in Hunan. It is the second highest of China’s Five Sacred Mountains and, not surprisingly, the most northerly. Because of its distance from the more populous areas of … [Read more...]
MOUNT HUA
China (2,155 m) – One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China (west) Mount Hua is the tallest and arguably the most awesome of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. Located in Shaanxi Province, it is the westernmost of the five, and its name literally means “Western Great Mountain”. It has numerous summits and peaks, with the highest point being located on the southern … [Read more...]
BURKHAN KHALDUN
Mongolia (N/A) – Birthplace and Burial Place of Genghis Khan Burkhan Khaldun is the most sacred mountain in Mongolia, and one of the most revered in East Asia that doesn’t have to do with one of the major eastern religions. According to tradition, Burkhan Khaldun was the birthplace of the founder of the Mongol Empire, Ghengis Khan. It also believed to be the site of his … [Read more...]
MOUNT WUDANG & MOUNT QINGCHEN
China (1,612 m and N/A) – Two of the Four Sacred Taoist Mountains of China Mount Wudang and Mount Qingchen are two of the Four Sacred Taoist Mountains of China. Though not part of the list of the Five Sacred Mountains, these two are no less important, and possibly even more interesting historically. The latter of the two, Qingchen is one of the most important sites of Taoism … [Read more...]
MOUNT SANQING
China (1,817 m) – Three Summits of the Taoist Trinity Mount Sanqing is one of the most beautiful and most visited mountains in eastern China. Crowned with three peaks, Sanqing means “Three Pure Ones”, and it is one of the most important mountains in Taoism. The peaks represent the Taoist Trinity, which consists of The Jade Pure One, The Supreme Pure One and The Grand Pure … [Read more...]
MOUNT TATE & MOUNT HAKU
Japan (3,015 m and 2,072 m) – Two of the Sacred Mountains of Japan Mount Tate and Mount Haku are two of the Three Sacred Mountains of Japan. The third is the unquestionably more famous Mount Fuji outside of Tokyo. Together these mountains are among the most important natural sites associated with the Shinto religion. The names of Tate and Haku mean “Standing” and “White”, … [Read more...]
HISTORIC SHINTO SHRINES OF HONOLULU
Honolulu, Hawaii Shintoism, the traditional belief system and religion of Japan, has been around for over two and a half millennia. It was introduced to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, in the Hawaiian Islands. The city of Honolulu boasts the oldest Shinto communities outside of Japan, and the oldest shrines in Hawaii. Of these, the most important and … [Read more...]
