within the central known universe a specific locale-often a mountain or other elevated place, a spot where earth and sky come closest gains status as center of the center, the axis mundi. high mountains are typically regarded as sacred by peoples living near them. shrines are often erected at the summit or base. mount kunlun fills a similar role in china. for the ancient hebrews mount zion expressed the symbol. sioux beliefs take the black hills as the axis mundi. mount kailash is holy to hinduism and several religions in tibet. the pitjantjatjara people in central australia consider uluru to be central to both their world and culture. in ancient mesopotamia the cultures of ancient sumer and babylon erected artificial mountains, or ziggurats, on the flat river plain. these supported staircases leading to temples at the top. the hindu temples in india are often situated on high mountains. e.g. amarnath, tirupati, vaishno devi etc. the pre-columbian residents of teotihuacán in mexico erected huge pyramids featuring staircases leading to heaven. these amerindian temples were often placed on top of caves or subterranean springs, which were thought to be openings to the underworld. jacob's ladder is an axis mundi image, as is the temple mount. for christians the cross on mount calvary expresses the symbol. the middle kingdom, china, had a central mountain, kunlun, known in taoist literature as "the mountain at the middle of the world." to "go into the mountains" meant to dedicate oneself to a spiritual life. monasteries of all faiths tend, like shrines, to be placed at elevated spots. wise religious teachers are typically depicted in literature and art as bringing their revelations at world centers: mountains, trees, temples.