The Center of the Universe and its Symbolic by the Georgian Highlanders

Abstract

Existence of the center of the universe and its symbolic always used to have great importance in general perception of the world, and consequently it is by various models confirmed in religious thinking of the world people. Georgian ethnographic material, in which sacral nature of the center is clearly disclosed, is not an exception insofar. The first example of this is tree. In Georgian ethnographic reality it represents in static (sacral tree, sacral pillar) or mobile (chichilaki, karachka, sacral flags) forms and mostly is considered as symbol of sacral Centre. In our opinion the micro cosmic model of universe, with clearly expressed sacral center represents the Georgian traditional dwelling with its construction and symbolic –religious meaning and main ritual function of central pillar in dwelling exactly is marking out sacral center. The importance of sacral Centre is proved by mythological legends and ethnographic materials concerning the establishment of shrines of mountain areas of Georgia. One of the key symbols of sacral center are Holy Mountain, hearth and their directly connection with religious traditions. Symbolism of the hearth as Centre plays particular role in wedding ritual, relatively seldom, but still the function hearth appears in funeral ceremony. All these give possibility to conclude the following: Symbolization of the center is quite distinguishing event for religious thinking of Georgian mountaineers and is realized in different forms in different cases; The first example of this symbol is holy mountain and tradition of building cultic structures on peaks of mountains, which is generalGeorgian phenomenon; Symbolism of the center of universe is clearly reflected in such traditional type of Georgian dwelling as earth dwelling house with central wooden pillar and hole for light and smoke; Symbolic of the center explains special meaning of hearth in ethnographic reality (traditions of wedding and funeral, reconciliationnear the hearth); Symbolic of the center is declared in Legends concerning establishment of the shrines in mountain areas.