Elevation - Revision history

Chai: Clarify reference content and context; retain course procedures privately

2026-09-23T09:12:32Z

Clarify reference content and context; retain course procedures privately

User: Improve browsing, categories and internal links

2026-09-09T04:04:51Z

Improve browsing, categories and internal links

User: Formatting cleanup: standardise headings and lists, remove em dashes, and tidy whitespace

2026-08-16T12:52:16Z

Formatting cleanup: standardise headings and lists, remove em dashes, and tidy whitespace

User: /* Pole Sitting */

2023-03-30T11:43:37Z

Pole Sitting

User: /* Elevations as Places of Sacrifices */

2023-03-28T18:18:21Z

Elevations as Places of Sacrifices

User: /* Pole Sitting */

2023-03-28T18:18:06Z

Pole Sitting

User: /* The Stylites */

2023-03-28T18:17:40Z

The Stylites

User: /* Elevations */

2023-03-28T18:17:13Z

Elevations

User: /* Elevations as Places of Sacrifices */

2023-03-10T18:54:40Z

Elevations as Places of Sacrifices

User: /* Pole Sitting */

2023-03-06T16:09:43Z

Pole Sitting

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Elevations=
+= Elevations =
-Throughout history, humans have often used physical elevation as a metaphor for social status. Metaphorical high elevation is typically associated with high status, power, and authority, while low elevation is often associated with low status, weakness, and subservience. Apparently, Austin hopes that one day coaches, therapists, and health practitioners will cease focusing on building status and will instead focus on doing some actual work.
+Elevation concerns height and the relationship between higher and lower positions. English uses this spatial contrast to describe status ("rising through the ranks"), mood ("feeling low"), achievement ("reaching the top") and distance from everyday concerns ("having your head in the clouds"). These uses overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
-This metaphorical association elevation and status can be seen in various cultural practices and beliefs, as well as in language and literature. From ancient times to the modern day, the metaphor of elevation has been used to reflect and reinforce social hierarchies and power dynamics in human societies.
+A higher position can suggest success or authority, yet it can also be exposed, isolated or precarious. A lower position can suggest disadvantage, but "keeping your feet on the ground" is usually approving. The value of a position depends on the expression and its context.
 [[File:Andrew_T._Austin_a_very_important_man_of_high_status.png|400px|right]]
-=== Here are some idioms that involve elevation and depict high status: ===
+=== Idioms of height, status and mood ===
 ::'''"On top of the world"''' - This idiom means to feel extremely happy or successful, as if you are standing on the highest point in the world.
@@ Line 26: / Line 30: @@
 ::'''"Sitting on top of the world"''' - This idiom means to be extremely happy or successful, as if you are sitting on top of the highest point in the world.
-::'''"Up in the clouds"''' - This idiom refers to being in a dreamy or unrealistic state, often associated with people who have a high level of wealth or status.
+::'''"Up in the clouds"''' - This expression describes being dreamy, distracted or unrealistic; it does not imply wealth or social status.
 ::'''"Ruling the roost"''' - This idiom refers to being in control or in charge, suggesting that you are at the top of a hierarchy or social structure.
-::'''"Above the fray"'''' - This idiom refers to being in a position of authority or power that is above the chaos or conflict that others may be experiencing.
+::'''"Above the fray"''' - This expression means remaining apart from an argument or conflict. It may suggest detachment or impartiality rather than authority.
-::''''"Reaching for the stars"''' - This idiom refers to having ambitious goals or aspirations, often associated with people who have achieved high levels of success.
+::'''"Reaching for the stars"''' - This idiom refers to having ambitious goals or aspirations, often associated with people who have achieved high levels of success.
 ::'''"Lording it over"''' - This idiom refers to acting in a superior or dominant manner, often associated with people who have a high social or financial status.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:04, 9 September 2026
Line 141:		Line 141:

	The connection between elevations and high places as sites of sacrifice is a longstanding and cross-cultural phenomenon. The belief that high places are closer to the divine realm has made them attractive locations for religious and spiritual practices, including sacrifice, throughout human history.		The connection between elevations and high places as sites of sacrifice is a longstanding and cross-cultural phenomenon. The belief that high places are closer to the divine realm has made them attractive locations for religious and spiritual practices, including sacrifice, throughout human history.
		+
		+	== Related pages ==
		+	* [[Stairs and Ladders]]
		+	* [[Falling]]
		+	* [[Rapunzel]]
		+
		+	== Browse the library ==
		+	[[:Category:Earth, landscape and place\|Earth, landscape and place]]
		+
		+	[[Subject index]] \| [[Stories and literature]] \| [[Special:AllPages\|All articles A-Z]]
		+
		+	[[Category:Earth, landscape and place]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 [[File:Andrew_T._Austin_a_very_important_man_of_high_status.png|400px|right]]
-===Here are some idioms that involve elevation and depict high status:===
+=== Here are some idioms that involve elevation and depict high status: ===
 ::'''"On top of the world"''' - This idiom means to feel extremely happy or successful, as if you are standing on the highest point in the world.
@@ Line 49: / Line 48: @@
 ::'''"Looking down one's nose"''' - This idiom refers to looking at others with disdain or arrogance, often associated with people who feel superior or elevated in some way.
-===Low Status===
+=== Low Status ===
 [[File:Andrew_T_Austin_a_low_status_man_at_rock_bottom.png|400px|right]]Here are some idioms that involve descent and depict low status:
@@ Line 89: / Line 87: @@
 ::'''"In the depths of poverty"''' - This idiom refers to being in a state of extreme financial hardship, suggesting that you have little access to resources or opportunities.
-==The Stylites==
+== The Stylites ==
 '''Simeon Stylites was a Syrian ascetic and monk who lived during the 5th century AD. He is best known for his unusual and extreme practice of living atop a column, which gained him widespread fame and admiration among his contemporaries.'''
@@ Line 111: / Line 108: @@
 The Stylite movement was not without its critics, however. Some members of the Church viewed the practice of living atop a column as a form of exhibitionism or self-aggrandizement and questioned whether it was truly in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the movement persisted and inspired generations of Christians to seek a deeper level of spiritual purity and devotion.
-==Pole Sitting==
+== Pole Sitting ==
 [[File:Andrew_T._Austin_a_strange_man_sitting_on_top_of_a_10ft_pole_a5d488c6-90df-4ee9-a774-8afdecff9d9b.png|400px|right]]'''Pole sitting, which is similar to the practice of living atop a column or pillar, gained popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. The practice involved individuals sitting on top of tall poles for extended periods of time, as a form of endurance or publicity stunt.'''
@@ Line 135: / Line 131: @@
 Colonel Potter, played by Harry Morgan, sees an opportunity to turn the situation into a positive one and convinces Klinger to stay up on the pole long enough to break the Army record for pole sitting, which was 96 hours. The episode, which aired in 1976, was a lighthearted take on the enduring appeal of pole-sitting and its ability to capture the public's imagination.
-==Elevations as Places of Sacrifices==
+== Elevations as Places of Sacrifices ==
 [[File:Aztecs_performing_human_sacrifice.png|400px|right]]'''Elevations and high places have long been associated with religious and spiritual significance, and have often been considered as places of sacrifice.''' Throughout history, various cultures have believed that high places or elevated locations were closer to the divine or supernatural realm, and therefore offered a more direct path to communication with the gods.

@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 ==Pole Sitting==
-'''Pole sitting, which is similar to the practice of living atop a column or pillar, gained popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. The practice involved individuals sitting on top of tall poles for extended periods of time, as a form of endurance or publicity stunt.'''
+[[File:Andrew_T._Austin_a_strange_man_sitting_on_top_of_a_10ft_pole_a5d488c6-90df-4ee9-a774-8afdecff9d9b.png|400px|right]]'''Pole sitting, which is similar to the practice of living atop a column or pillar, gained popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. The practice involved individuals sitting on top of tall poles for extended periods of time, as a form of endurance or publicity stunt.'''
 One of the most famous pole sitters was Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly, who set numerous records for sitting on poles for extended periods of time. In 1924, he set a record by sitting on a pole for 12 days straight, and in 1929 he broke his own record by sitting on a pole for 23 days.

@@ Line 137: / Line 137: @@
 ==Elevations as Places of Sacrifices==
-[[File:Aztecs_performing_human_sacrifice.png|400px|right]]Elevations and high places have long been associated with religious and spiritual significance, and have often been considered as places of sacrifice. Throughout history, various cultures have believed that high places or elevated locations were closer to the divine or supernatural realm, and therefore offered a more direct path to communication with the gods.
+[[File:Aztecs_performing_human_sacrifice.png|400px|right]]'''Elevations and high places have long been associated with religious and spiritual significance, and have often been considered as places of sacrifice.''' Throughout history, various cultures have believed that high places or elevated locations were closer to the divine or supernatural realm, and therefore offered a more direct path to communication with the gods.
 As a result, high places have frequently been used as locations for religious and sacrificial rituals. In many cultures, offerings or sacrifices were made on elevated altars or platforms to appease or communicate with the gods. This practice was particularly common in ancient religions, such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and Aztecs.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 6 March 2023
Line 134:		Line 134:

	Colonel Potter, played by Harry Morgan, sees an opportunity to turn the situation into a positive one and convinces Klinger to stay up on the pole long enough to break the Army record for pole sitting, which was 96 hours. The episode, which aired in 1976, was a lighthearted take on the enduring appeal of pole-sitting and its ability to capture the public's imagination.		Colonel Potter, played by Harry Morgan, sees an opportunity to turn the situation into a positive one and convinces Klinger to stay up on the pole long enough to break the Army record for pole sitting, which was 96 hours. The episode, which aired in 1976, was a lighthearted take on the enduring appeal of pole-sitting and its ability to capture the public's imagination.
		+
		+	==Elevations as Places of Sacrifices==
		+
		+	Elevations and high places have long been associated with religious and spiritual significance, and have often been considered as places of sacrifice. Throughout history, various cultures have believed that high places or elevated locations were closer to the divine or supernatural realm, and therefore offered a more direct path to communication with the gods.
		+
		+	As a result, high places have frequently been used as locations for religious and sacrificial rituals. In many cultures, offerings or sacrifices were made on elevated altars or platforms to appease or communicate with the gods. This practice was particularly common in ancient religions, such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and Aztecs.
		+
		+	In some cases, high places were even used for human sacrifice, a practice that was widespread in ancient times. For example, the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice on the top of their pyramids, while the ancient Canaanites and Israelites sacrificed children on high places called bamot.
		+
		+	The association of high places with sacrifice has continued to modern times in some cultures. For example, in Hinduism, certain high places such as the Himalayas or Mount Kailash are considered sacred and are used for pilgrimage and offerings to the gods.
		+
		+	The connection between elevations and high places as sites of sacrifice is a longstanding and cross-cultural phenomenon. The belief that high places are closer to the divine realm has made them attractive locations for religious and spiritual practices, including sacrifice, throughout human history.