Elbrus
March 25th, 2009 | 
Author: Summit of Europe 5642m
Short is the little time which remains to thee of life. Live as on a mountain. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Mount Elbrus (there is no generally-accepted etymology as yet) is particularly revered by all Caucasian peoples. Surrounded with multiple myths, legends, and tales, this volcanic massif (its western top is 5,642 m high and eastern 5,621 m high) towers between the Baksan River and the Kuban. It also has other names: Jinn Padishah/Master of Genii (Turks); Orfi Tub/Residence Mountain of the Blessed (Abkhazians); Oshkhamakho/Fortune Mountain (Kabardians); Mingi Tau/Eternal Mountain, Mountain of Thousand Mountains, and Shad Tau/Joy Mountain (Balkars and Karachays). It is of interest that the Earth in the Balkar-Karachay mythology is enclosed in mountain range called K’af (K’an Taula) / Enclosing Mountains (Fence Mountains). According to ancient legends, Elbrus is the dwelling of gods. One myth of the Chechens and Ingush says god Ts’u/Ts’uv (”heart axis of the world”) with his “darling” Sui Azna descended on its ridges in a “gold-shining shell.” The Creator allowed the first people to settle down at its foot. Elbrus is linked with tales of a god-fighting hero (in particular, Nasren-Zhache in Adygey Nart tales; Amiran in Tushi (Tuski, Tuzi) and Kakheti legends; and others) and a “water of life” spring or Immortality Lake hidden in a col between two tops. Nart Karaushay and his horse Gemuda in the Balkar and Karachay epos are invincible and live eternally without getting old: when their strength is exhausted, they drink the magic water. The Spirit of Giant Mountain, a Kabardian legend, warns: “Great Prophet Muhammad” most strictly prohibited the Muslims from drinking water from that spring, for these are the scalding tears of a proud Jinni, Evil Spirit, chained to the top of Elbrus by “Great god Tkh’e/Tkha.” Folklore motives about Nukh/Noah whose ark stopped at Elbrus are also widespread. It is thought that if one goes to worship the holy mountain before New Year, fortune will favor him in everything. Elbrus is the traditional embodiment of the Cosmos: its saddle-like ridge is the top of the Earth, a step to the Heaven, and the Heaven itself. Legend has it this ancient extinct volcano will “speak” again before the day of judgment.
The mythical and epic traditions of Caucasian peoples highlight ideas of a mountain as an ethic landmark - the world of ideal and integrity, a sort of guidance for spiritual development of the epic hero. Besides, the line linking the foot with the top is also the earthly journey of a human being as an element of infinity. Old characters and ideas remain relevant in contemporary realities: mountain images are typical for state symbols in Caucasian republics. Thus, alongside Muslim symbols (green color), the national symbols of the Kabardino-Balkar and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic feature Elbrus; the emblem of the Republic of Ingushetia represents Miat Loam/Miatloam (”Table Mountain”) and Bash Loam/Bashloam (Kazbek).
The ancients knew the mountain as Strobilus, the Latin word for pine cone, derived from the Greek word strobilos, meaning a twisted object, a long established botanical term that describes the shape of the volcano’s summit. Myth held that here Zeus had chained Prometheus, the titan who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to ancient man, a clear reference to the volcano’s historical activity.
Legend has it that Prometheus is chained to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Prometheus loved mortals so much that he gave them the Gift of Divine Fire. By doing this he angered Zeus who declared that Fire was the province of the gods of Olympus. The fire that Prometheus stole from the gods to give to mortals is the Fire and Knowledge of Physical Immortality. When Mount Elbrus fully activated in March-May 2008 the Divine Gift of Immortality became available to all beings.
“Of Prometheus, how undaunted
On Olympus’ shining bastions
His audacious foot he planted,
Myths are told and songs are chanted,
Full of promptings and suggestions.
“Beautiful is the tradition
Of the flight through heavenly portals,
The old classic superstition
Of the theft and the transmission
Of the fire of the Immortals.”
- Longfellow
“A mighty lesson we inherit;
Thou art a symbol and a sign
To Mortals of their fate and force;
Like thee, Man is in part divine,
A troubled stream from a pure source;”
Posted in 
Tags: