2 • A Geographical and Symbolic History of Tiantai

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the study of the earliest accounts regarding the Tiantai mountain range and Mt. Tongbai. My purpose here is not to produce a complete review of such sources, but to discuss the most influential texts dealing with this area. This will provide the reader a good understanding of the historical and symbolic importance of the Tiantai mountains, which were already significant in Daoist traditions before the Tang dynasty and became a major Daoist centre from that dynasty onwards.