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Have you ever seen a stack of rocks while hiking and wondered what their meaning was? You’re not alone! Many hikers have been curious about the purpose of stacking stones. Surprisingly there is actually a lot of speculation about the meaning of stacked rocks.
Key Takeaways
In this blog post, we will explore:
- The meaning of stacked rocks in history, cultural beliefs, and out on the trails
- The importance of stacked stones on the hiking trails
- Why you should stack stones on hiking trails and what to do instead
What is a Stack of Rocks Called?
Before we dive into the different theories and meanings, let’s first answer a common question: What is a stack of rocks called? A stack of rocks is known as “cairns”, and they have been used since ancient times.
The term comes from the Scottish Gaelic word càrn, meaning “heap of stone” in English. Today, its meaning is almost identical: a man-made stack of stones.
You can find these stacks of rocks everywhere. And, on plenty of hiking trails throughout the world including mountaintops, deserts, and even river crossings.
What Do Stacked Rocks Symbolize?
Spiritual Significance
The first meaning of stacked rocks centers around spirituality. Many cultures believe that cairns have spiritual significance and use them for various ceremonies. Stacking stones goes back to ancient ancestral ages. Just look at how many monolithic structures exist on Earth, like Stonehenge or even the Great Pyramids.
Personal Beliefs
Some believe that by building a cairn, individuals can leave behind their worries and find balance in life. This is because balancing rocks on top of one another is considered an activity where individuals must learn how to balance the energy around them, as well as their own internal energy in order to make the stones lay still on top of each other. If you succeed, this in turn balances you, too.
Honor and Memory
In many cultures, the meaning of stacked rocks is used to honor ancestors and mark sacred sites. Sometimes people use these stones to mark where someone is buried, or as a sign of respect for gods and goddesses.
Zen Gardens
Often, Japanese Zen gardens will have stacked stones too. This is because Zen gardens often incorporate the idea of grappling with the chaos of nature to create a more ordered space. In doing so, they emphasize the harmony and balance between humanity and the natural world. Stacked rocks represent this by showing the balance between order and chaos.
Native American Cultures
Stacked rocks are also present in some Native American cultures. Used for ceremonial purposes and to share information such as dangers, threats, food sources, and water sources. When looking into native cultures a lot of civilizations were built around stacking stones and rocks. Think of Maya civilization or even those that lived in the cliffs of what is now Mesa Verde National Park.
Buddhist Beliefs
For many Buddhists the meaning of stacked rocks or the act of stone stacking is a form of worship or gesture that can bring good fortune or good luck, not only for the stacker but also for their family.
Trail Markers
The second most common use for stacked stones are trail markers. This is arguably the most accurate use of stacked rocks for most hiking trails. Hikers will often build small cairns in order to mark trails so that other hikers can easily find the way.
During multiple of the hikes, we have been on stacked rocks have been extremely helpful for navigation some hikes that come to my mind are the Kilauea Iki trail and the Delicate Arch trail which have cairns to help with navigation.
Stacked rocks are super important if the trail is not well-marked or easy to get lost on. Hikers often depend on cairns, to mark emergency locations, such as caches of food, water, and medical supplies. This practice has been documented throughout history and is still practiced today.
Just For Fun
Finally, for some people stacking rocks are simply something to do for fun. You’ll find these stacks on trails that have been long abandoned, or in areas where the terrain is too difficult to traverse. In these cases, hikers might just be looking for a way to pass the time and test out their rock-stacking skills.
But for the most part, rock stacking looks cool if you can get it done right. And it can be hard to resist trying it out yourself when you come across a particularly neat selection of rocks.
Rock balancing has also become a popular trend on social media, with many people sharing videos and photos of their creations. As these trends continue, so do the number of stacked rocks.
Importance of Stacked Rocks on a Trail
Stacked rocks are there to provide guidance and help hikers find their way. It is important to be mindful of the placement of these rocks and not to disturb them as this could lead to hikers getting lost.
Stacked stones are often located at a fork in the trail to help hikers know which direction to go. In other words, rather than vandalizing the trees or painting rocks with arrows to show hikers which way to go, a cairn is built. This informs future travelers that they are going the right way.
Not only were cairns used to show the way, but they were also used to mark areas where people had stored supplies like food and water. This could be a lifesaver, especially in places that weren’t well-traveled or where the terrain was dangerous.
Why You Shouldn’t Stack Stones
Stone stacking has many functional uses. It can be fun to stack rocks but, only when it is appropriate to do so. Stone stacking can be a creative way to test out your balance, be artistic, and show your respect for nature.
So, why is there such a big push to teach travelers not to stack stones themselves?It goes back to why cairns are so important in the first place: It’s a tool to help hikers navigate.
Why does this matter? Well, when hikers stack their own stones, they run the risk of creating a mess of cairns that can confuse other hikers and lead them astray. It can also create unnecessary clutter and take away from the natural beauty of the environment.
The best way to avoid this is to simply leave the rocks be, and let nature take its course. If a cairn is already there, great! Admire the rock-stacking skills of those who came before you and take it as a sign that you’re on the right path. If there isn’t a cairn there, take it as a sign that the trail doesn’t need one, and just keep on your trek.
Problem With Stacked Stones
Cairns have been around for centuries. As noted above there are multiple reasons why a Cairn is created. But when it comes to the trails there are many reasons why they shouldn’t be fully trusted in modern times.
Fake Stacks
Although cairns were traditionally built to mark trails. Some people have taken it upon themselves to build fake stacks of stones in inappropriate locations. This can lead to hikers getting lost and wasting valuable time. As they are relying on something that is not correct.
Many kids and hikers who do this may not have any ill intentions in mind. In fact, they probably think that sharing their rock sculpture is a fun way to leave something behind for other hikers to find. But it is important to understand that these fake stacks can lead people astray and should be avoided at all costs.
Cairns can be Dismantled Easily
Another potential problem with cairns is that they can be easily dismantled by animals, wind, or other hikers. This means that a cairn that is there one day could be gone the next, leaving hikers without a reliable guiding tool.
It’s a Form of Litter
Some hikers argue that stacking stones is a form of litter. This is because when hikers stack stones, they are leaving behind something that was not there before. It is important to respect the environment by only stacking rocks in designated areas. And by not leaving any trace of your existence behind when you leave.
What You Should Do When You See a Cairns
When you encounter a cairn on the trail, there are a few important things to remember:
Leave it Alone
Don’t add stones to it or take them away. This can lead to confusion and disorientation for other hikers.
Don’t Build New Ones
As noted, it’s best to leave the environment and other hikers alone and not build your own since unofficial cairns in inappropriate locations can be a red herring to hikers. Remember to Leave No Trace.
If you must rock stack, do them in appropriate places.Find a spot on the trail that has been designated for cairns and start stacking. Wide-open areas near parking lots or rest stops with others already built are probably the best places to stack your stones.
For the most part, public beaches are a fun place to practice your balancing act, just remember that trails should be left alone.
Admire its Beauty
Cairnsare often works of art, so take a moment to appreciate the skill and artistry that went into making them.
Bring a Navigation Tool
Cairns should not be fully relied upon as a navigation tool, since they can be easily dismantled, and fake stacks may exist. Always bring other methods of navigation to guide you on your hikes. I recommend carrying at least two navigational tools a digital device and a hard map.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the spiritual meaning of stacked stones?
Stacking rocks is has several possible spiritual meanings varying from the possible representation of stability and creativity. The possible representation or single symbol of a person’s worth, strength, and fragility. For some religions the act of stacking stones may bring happiness or good fortune.
What does the Bible say about stacking stones?
In one piece of scripture, the Bible references that the Israelites stacked their stones at Gilgal, “so that all the earth’s peoples might know that the Lord’s power is great and that you may always revere the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4: 24) In this case it seems very possible that the stones were stacked as an honor or memorial to God.
What is a stack of rocks called?
This rock pile is known as a cairn and is sometimes used to mark trails in parks. Or in other cultures and religions use as worship or for spiritual reasons.
Summary
While the meaning of stacked rocks depends on the purpose. Remember when to comes to the trail’s, rock piles or Cairns are a way of helping hikers find their way through terrain.
But it’s important to remember that these should not be relied upon as a navigation tool and should only be admired from afar. Doing so will help prevent hikers from getting lost and make sure our trails stay safe and beautiful for others to enjoy.
By following these guidelines, we can all ensure that our trails remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. So, the next time you come across a cairn, take a moment to admire it and then keep exploring! And remember to worry less and hike more.
