In Greek mythology, the three sisters Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos became the Fates by weaving the fabric of life and death.
When the influence of mythology returned to the mortal realm, the intertwining of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in the city of Jerusalem gave birth to a global holy site.
Jerusalem bears the title of the "Holy City," within which lies secrets of both glory and lamentation.
Located in the southern part of the Judean Mountains in Western Asia, Jerusalem sits at an elevation of 790 meters, covering an area of 126 square kilometers, with a population of 800,000.
Historically, Jerusalem's advantageous geographical location placed it to the east of the Dead Sea, west of the Mediterranean, north of the Mesopotamian civilization, and south of the ancient Egyptian civilization.
Jerusalem, nurtured by the waters of the Nile, the Euphrates, and the Tigris, became a crucial intersection connecting the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Jerusalem can be divided into two parts: the Old City and the New District, with the Old City, covering only 1 square kilometer, being its core.
Surrounded by walls 5 kilometers long and 12 meters high, the Old City boasts 8 gates and 34 towers.
Within the city are four major quarters: the Muslim Quarter, Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, and Armenian Quarter, each filled with a profound religious atmosphere and rich cultural spirit.
In Hebrew, "Yerushalayim" means "city of peace," combining "Yeru" meaning "city" and "Shalayim" meaning "peace."
In Arabic, Jerusalem is known as "Al-Quds," meaning "the Holy City."
The name "Jerusalem" is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis in the Bible.
According to Jewish legend, after God created the heavens and the earth, the first ray of sunlight shone from Mount Zion, and using the soil of Jerusalem, he fashioned the first human, Adam.
God made a covenant with the Jewish patriarch Abraham, giving the land of Canaan, including Jerusalem, as an inheritance flowing with "milk and honey" to the Jewish people, with their descendants reigning there forever as kings and being regarded as God's chosen people.
In the New Testament of Christianity, Jesus foresaw the suffering that Jerusalem would endure, lamenting on the Mount of Olives, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
The Prophet Muhammad of Islam also praised Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Allah has chosen you as a land of His, the world begins from you and will also end at you. The dew of Jerusalem can cure all diseases because it is a garden from heaven."
Jerusalem's unique status rightfully earns it the title of the "Holy City," known to the world.
The three major religions have left many historical imprints on Jerusalem. In the 11th century BCE, King David unified the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.
Around 965 BCE, King David's son Solomon built the "Solomon's Temple" on Mount Zion.
However, Solomon's Temple was destroyed three times and rebuilt twice.
After its final destruction, only a 50-meter-long and 20-meter-high retaining wall on the western side of the temple remained.
The Jewish people dispersed, unable to rebuild, and could only mourn and lament at this remaining wall, hence its name, the "Wailing Wall."
Within the Wailing Wall are five massive foundation stones, one of which is about 13.6 meters long, 4.6 meters wide, 3.5 meters high, and weighs 570 tons, making it the third-largest man-made stone in the world.
Islam also left sacred traces in Jerusalem.
Legend has it that in July 621 CE, the Prophet Muhammad, following the call of the angel Gabriel, rode a grayish-white mare through the mountains at night, arriving in Jerusalem.
He stepped on a giant stone, ascended to the "seventh heaven," saw "Allah," and received the "revelation."
In 705 CE, the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik established the "Al-Aqsa Mosque."
At the beginning of Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque became one of the directions for Muslim prayers.
Muslims believe that praying once in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is equivalent to praying 500 times in other mosques, second only to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
For Christianity, Jerusalem is equally sacred and esteemed.
It is well known that in the 1st century CE, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem.
In 30 CE, he entered Jerusalem three times, preaching, teaching, and finally being crucified.
Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, and after 40 days, he ascended into heaven.
In 335 CE, Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site of Jesus' tomb.
To this day, entering through the Lion's Gate in Jerusalem, visitors can see 14 stations marking Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, which Christians call the "Via Dolorosa" or "Way of Suffering."
Many of Jerusalem's landmarks correspond to characters, events, and places mentioned in the Bible, stirring intense emotions among Christians.
For over 2,000 years, the Via Dolorosa has been the preferred destination for Christian pilgrimages.
Every year, many Christians carry crosses and retrace the Via Dolorosa, experiencing the suffering of Jesus' gospel.
The appearance of these sacred sites makes the image of the "Holy City" more vivid, playing an irreplaceable role in the spread and development of the three major religions.
The Talmud praises, "Of the ten measures of beauty that descended to the world, Jerusalem received nine, and the rest of the world received one."
However, Jerusalem not only possesses beauty but also endures suffering.
According to historical records, Jerusalem has experienced over 50 sieges, been conquered 36 times, and razed to the ground 18 times in its history of settlement, with warfare being the main theme of the city.
From the 6th century BCE to the early 20th century, different forces, including the Canaanites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Jews, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Mamluks, Ottomans, and British, successively occupied Jerusalem.
In 1096 CE, during the Northern Song Dynasty of China, the Crusades from Europe launched nine campaigns over nearly 200 years and established the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The city entered a vicious cycle of war, destruction, reconstruction, and revival.
On a small hill in Jerusalem stands the Holocaust Memorial.
The triangular-shaped building is embedded in the mountain, with the core of the memorial being the "Names Wall." During World War II, six million Jews perished in the Nazi Holocaust. Their names are engraved on the pointed roof, with some names accompanied by photos and archives.
The interior of the museum is dim and oppressive, filled with the deep suffering endured by the Jews during World War II.
In November 1947, at the proposal of Britain, the United Nations passed Resolution181, deciding to partition Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab, with Jerusalem under international trusteeship.
On May 14, 1948, Israel was established amidst hostility from surrounding Arab countries.
From its founding until 1973, Israel engaged in five wars with Arab states, ultimately emerging victorious.
In 1980, Israel declared Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital.
Palestine, in response, declared in 1988 the establishment of a state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Centuries of conflict have shrouded the "Holy City" in the shadow of war.
Under the weaving of the Fates, Jerusalem has become a fate that cannot be easily separated.
All three major religions regard it as a holy land, rejecting interference from external powers, which has fueled the desires of various parties.
A political commentator pointed out: "The center of today's world politics lies in the Middle East, and the core of the Middle East issue is the focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Jerusalem."
This statement reveals the complexity and sadness of the "Holy City."
In this land, mythology, history, religion, and politics intertwine, forming a complex tapestry.
Jerusalem, this ancient city, not only bears important symbols of religious faith but also has become the focus of geopolitical struggles.
The Fates have woven it into an unbreakable fate, with each thread stirring the world's attention and disputes.
However, despite being overshadowed by war and conflict, Jerusalem still radiates a unique light.
As a holy land for three major religions, it attracts believers and pilgrims from around the world, becoming a witness and bearer of human civilization.
The existence of Jerusalem is not only a symbol of religious faith but also a beacon of hope for peace and reconciliation.
Perhaps when people can transcend religious and political differences, facing Jerusalem with an attitude of inclusiveness and understanding, this ancient city can truly embody the meaning of the "Holy City."
May the holy light of Jerusalem forever illuminate the human soul, becoming a symbol of peace and harmony in the world.
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