Goddesses of Mountains and Volcanos

Among the environmental phenomena human beings encounter

in nature, mountains and volcanoes often play a very
important role in the consciousness and religious life
of peoples and cultures. The associated emotions run
from awe via thankfulness to fear; depending on the
nature of the mountain in question and the climate of
the corresponding area. The concept of divinity we
encounter in this context, is basically of three
different types, fitting the emotions mentioned before.
1. the mountain as omphalos; as seat or throne of divine
powers and/or as symbol of purity and spiritual
attainment. In this category we find both Gods and
Goddesses associated with the mountain, with Mt.
Olymp as a prime example of this type. It is from
this idea that on mountains, people seem to feel
closer to the heavens and the divine forces. Also the
Tibetan peak Chomolhari or "Lily-White Mother of
Snow" belongs here for its associations of serenity
and purity.
2. the mountain as provider or helper in those areas of
life that are crucial to survival; water, fertility
and, in extension thereof, food in general. As might
be expected, this type of mountain is mostly
represented by female deities. Both the Himalayan
mountains Annapurna ("Food-giver") or Chomo Lung Ma
("Mother of this World") are obvious examples.
Sometimes the mountains or hills in this category are
referred to as "breasts" of the Goddess, as for
example in the Irish "Paps of Anu".
3. the mountain as 'angry' and ruthless destroyer or
destructress of life in the form of avalanches,
earthquakes or floods. Here again, both male and
female deities are identified with the mountains
forces. A special branch among this type is formed by
the volcanoes; mountains which on the one hand can
spontaneously destroy people and entire villages by
their fiery eruptions, yet which simultaneously bring
forth the very fruitful and fertile lava, potentially
providing for the future. This fact fits perfectly
with the concept of the Great Mother who both gives
and takes, creates and destroys, and it may be for
this reason that a volcano is most often seen as a
Goddess. Most famous in this class is the Hawaiian
Mt. Kilaueya and its young Goddess Pele, and the
Japanese Mt. Fuji whose deity's full name is Fuji no
yama.
It would be surprising, of course, if each and every
mountain-goddess could be fitted into one of these
categories, and in reality we do find all kinds of mixed
features attributed to deities of this type; features that

mostly are inspired by the actual 'behavior' of the mountain

and by the lifestyle of its/her/his devotees. That the
famous Greek Mt. Olymp has been regarded as the seat of the
Greek pantheon - the Olympic Gods - is well known and is, in
some way, an almost accepted fact by virtue of the great
influence Greek thought - scientific, philosophical and
mythological - has had on our modern societies.
Other great and famous peaks of the world are even better
known; they have been climbed, televised and traveled to;
but their related mythologies are generally unknown - and
the fact that they often have been feared, beloved and
worshipped as goddesses by thousands of people will surprise
most travelers and geographers.
The following two tables will give an idea of how widespread
the tradition of the "Divine Mountain Mother" has been. They
also show how many mountains and snowy peaks on our
present-day maps still bear the names of such ancient
deities.