Mythic realm
Norse
Alfheim
The radiant realm of the light elves, beautiful beings associated with fertility and given to Freyr as a tooth-gift.
Sacred Geography
Locations
Temples, realms and sacred sites, on the map and by tradition, type or era.
Catalog pictures are illustrations, not historical artworks. About our images
Mythic realm
Norse
Helheim
The realm of the dead ruled by Hel, daughter of Loki. Those who died of illness or old age dwell here in cold monotony.
Mythic realm
Norse
Bifrost
The burning rainbow bridge connecting Asgard to Midgard, guarded by the vigilant god Heimdall with his Gjallarhorn.
Egyptian
Giza Plateau
The desert plateau west of Cairo with the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx, monuments of Old Kingdom kingship and the king's hoped-for ascent to the stars and the sun.
Egyptian
Karnak Temple Complex
A vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings near Luxor, primarily dedicated to Amun.
Mythic realm
Egyptian
Duat
The Egyptian underworld through which Ra travels each night and the dead must journey, facing trials before Osiris's judgment.
Mythic realm
Egyptian
Field of Reeds (Aaru)
The Egyptian paradise, a heavenly realm of abundance where the righteous dead lived eternally in peace and plenty.
Egyptian
Heliopolis
The ancient City of the Sun, center of Ra worship and home to the Ennead—the nine primordial creator gods.
Egyptian
Memphis
The ancient capital of Egypt, cult center of Ptah the creator god, and gateway between Upper and Lower Egypt.
Egyptian
Abydos
The cult center of Osiris and gateway to the underworld, where pharaohs built cenotaphs to be near the god of the dead.
Roman
Roman Forum
The center of Roman public life, containing major temples including the Temple of Vesta and Temple of Saturn.
Roman
Capitoline Hill
The smallest and most sacred of Rome's hills, citadel of the earliest city and site of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno, and Minerva, where triumphs ended and the state's vows were paid.
Hindu
Mount Kailash
The sacred peak in western Tibet revered in Hindu tradition as the abode of Shiva and Parvati, identified with the mythic Kailasa of the Puranas and circled by pilgrims of several faiths.
Hindu
Varanasi
The spiritual capital of India, situated on the banks of the Ganges, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and sacred to Shiva.
Hindu
Ayodhya
The birthplace and capital of Lord Rama, setting of the great epic Ramayana and one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities.
Mythic realm
Hindu
Mount Meru
The cosmic mountain at the center of the universe, around which the sun, moon, and stars revolve. Home of the devas.
Mythic realm
Hindu
Vaikuntha
The eternal abode of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, a celestial realm of infinite bliss beyond the material universe.
Hindu
Lanka
The golden island kingdom of the demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita and was defeated by Rama's army.
Japanese
Ise Grand Shrine
The most sacred Shinto shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu the sun goddess, ritually rebuilt every 20 years.
Japanese
Izumo Taisha
One of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, lord of the unseen world.
Japanese
Mount Fuji
Japan's highest and most sacred mountain, believed to be the dwelling place of kami and a source of immortality.
Mythic realm
Japanese
Floating Bridge of Heaven
The celestial bridge from which Izanagi and Izanami stirred the primordial ocean to create the islands of Japan.
Mythic realm
Japanese
Yomi
The shadowy land of the dead ruled by Izanami, from which Izanagi barely escaped after seeing his wife's decayed form.
Mythic realm
Japanese
Takamagahara
The High Plain of Heaven, dwelling place of the heavenly kami including Amaterasu and the celestial court.
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