Devils Tower, USA

Did you know Devils Tower wasn't always known by this ominous name?
The igneous rock formation, thrusting over 5,000 feet above sea level in northeastern Wyoming, has been known for centuries by many names in a multitude of languages, all shared by the indigenous tribes that revered it. In fact, 'Devils Tower' came into usage as a result of a mistranslation during an 1875 scientific expedition . Colonel Richard Irving Dodge, the explorer leading the team, reportedly misinterpreted the native name to mean 'Bad God's Tower', which eventually morphed into 'Devils Tower'. In the native Lakota language, it was Mato Tipila, meaning Bear Lodge. Other American Indian names translated into English include 'Bear's Tipi', 'Home of Bears', 'Tree Rock' and 'Great Gray Horn' — all painting a far less demonic picture. The "Devil" in the name has often been criticized for not reflecting the spiritual significance the monument has for many Native American tribes. And despite several attempts to change it, 'Devils Tower' has endured - officially named the first U.S . National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. Devils Tower - an icon of geological grandeur with a misunderstood moniker. A majestic monument, its name a witness to the intricacies of cultural communication and translation.

Tags: #DevilsTower #USAHistory