History of Mongolian yurt

Yurts have been a distinctive feature of life in Central Asia for more than two thousand years. The first written description of a yurt used as a dwelling was recorded by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. The traditional orientation of a yurt is with the door to the south. The yurt’s most sacred space is to the north. This is where an altar would be placed, if the residents were Christian or Buddhist, and would serve as the traditional seating area for village elders or respected leaders.

Symbolism of Mongolian Yurt?

The yurt is the symbolic form of the link between the Mongolian people and the extreme nature in which he lives, which is the basis of shamanism and Tengrism, spiritual practices prior to the arrival of Buddhism.

The yurt is a reduced form, a symbol, of the Mongolian cosmogony, the world representation for Mongolian people.

As such, in reference to the sacredness of nature and the spirits that inhabit it, the yurt is itself considered a sacred space, and many rules must be respected when entering the home of a Traditional Mongolian family.

Its round shape evokes the sky, the central pillars, particularly respected, symbolizing the cosmic axis, the connection between earth and heaven, root of all spiritual practice.

The fire is placed in the center of this representation of the universe, and many beliefs attached to it.

It is the first element being installed during assembly of the yurt, and it was previously placed on three stones that symbolize the father, mother and daughter, mother of the heirs. Fire is therefore strongly attached to the woman, who is responsible for its maintenance.

Note that belief that "a misfortune circle must always be between two circles of happiness" governs the manufacture of the stove, which should always be made up of three circles of metal.