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A traditional yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger (Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. The structure comprises an angled assembly or latticework of pieces of wood or bamboo for walls, a door frame, ribs (poles, rafters), and a wheel (crown, compression ring) possibly steam-bent. The roof structure is often self-supporting, but large yurts may have interior posts supporting the crown. The top of the wall of self-supporting yurts is prevented from spreading by means of a tension band which opposes the force of the roof ribs. Modern yurts may be permanently built on a wooden platform; they may use modern materials such as steam-bent wooden framing or metal framing, canvas or tarpaulin, Plexiglas dome, wire rope, or radiant insulation.

History:

Yurts have been a distinctive feature of life in Central Asia for at least three thousand years. The first written description of a yurt used as a dwelling was recorded by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He described yurt-like tents as the dwelling place of the Scythians, a horse riding-nomadic nation who lived in the northern Black Sea and Central Asian region from around 600 BC to AD 300. [3]

Interiors of a Yurt:

How Yurts Work:

Construction:

Traditional yurts consist of an expanding wooden circular frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be obtained by trade in the valleys below.

The frame consists of one or more expanding lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, bent roof poles and a crown. The Mongolian Ger has one or more columns to support the crown and straight roof poles. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, the felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun-covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary with different sizes, and relative weight.

A yurt is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried compactly on camels or yaks to be rebuilt on another site. Complete construction takes around 2 hours.

Decorations Upon the Structure:

The traditional decoration within a yurt is primarily pattern-based. These patterns are generally not according to taste, but are derived from sacred ornaments with certain symbolism. Symbols representing strength are among the most common, including the four powerful beasts (lion, tiger, garuda, and dragon), as well as stylized representations of the five elements (fire, water, earth, metal, and wood), considered to be the fundamental, unchanging elements of the cosmos. Such patterns are commonly used in the home with the belief that they will bring strength and offer protection.

Repeating geometric patterns are also widely used. The most widespread geometric pattern is the continuous hammer or walking pattern (alkhan khee). Commonly used as a border decoration, it represents unending strength and constant movement. Another common pattern is the ulzii, a symbol of long life and happiness. The khamar ugalz (nose pattern) and ever ugalz (horn pattern) are derived from the shape of the animal's nose and horns, and are the oldest traditional patterns. All patterns can be found among not only the yurts themselves, but also on embroidery, furniture, books, clothing, doors, and other objects.

The design of the Mongolian Ger developed from its ancient simple forms to actively integrate with Buddhist culture. The crown—toono adopted the shape of Dharmachakra. The earlier style of toono, nowadays more readily found in Central Asian yurts, is called in Mongolia "sarkhinag toono" while the toono representing Buddhist dharmachakra is called "khorlo" (Tibetan འཀོར་ལོ།) toono. Also the shapes, colors and ornaments of the wooden elements—toono, pillars and poles of the Mongolian yurt are in accord with the artistic style found in Buddhist monasteries of Mongolia. Such yurts are called "uyangiin ger", literally meaning "home of lyrics" or "home of melodies".

Regional Officers and their Titles:

1. Magnificent Sarawak - Founder and Governor of Esoterique, Arsenal Fan / Primarch / Starfleet Admiral
2. The Tortoise Thing - Chelonian Arsenal Fan / Starfleet Admiral
3. Teyrnas Ngai Ti - Rex Imperator Bastiaan of Teyrnas Unedig Cymru
4. Jennifer chase - Jump Ship Pilot | Captain Power's Soldier of the Future
5. Hua mulan - An Army of One | Unstoppable
6. Teyrnas Brewster - Paladin HighQueen
7. Teyrnas Pengwern - Chelonian Wales King
8. John 117 - Master Chief Petty Officer of the UNSC
9. Musang King - The King of Durians and Tropical Fruit
10. Temujin Cenghis Khan - Genghis / Chinggis Khan
11. Zuph - The Nomadic Peoples of Zuph

Regular Citizens:

1. Temujins Mongolian Khanate
2. Chuluun
3.
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5.

There are numerous words, phrases, expressions, and idioms in the English language that derive from the Bible. Amazingly, many have survived thousands of years and are still used to this day. From "going the extra mile" to "biting the dust," in this Factbook you'll find multiple examples of everyday phrases borrowed from the holy book. Scroll down and see how many you can recognize:

Go the extra mile
How many times have you been asked this at work? It essentially means to put in a special effort to achieve something. Matthew 5:41 reads: "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

Rise and shine
This morning classic also has Biblical roots. It comes from Isaiah 60:1, which reads: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."

Put words in one’s mouth
No one likes to be falsely accused of saying something they didn't. The expression comes from 2 Samuel 14:3: "And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth."

Eat, drink, and be merry
We've all heard this one before, especially during the holidays, right? The expression also comes from the Bible; Ecclesiastes 8:15, to be more precise: "Because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun."

Wolf in sheep’s clothing
This idiom is used to describe someone deceitful, who pretends to be good but has bad intentions. The phrase originates from Matthew 7:15, which reads: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Bite the dust
The phrase is used to describe the end: usually one's fall and/or death. It comes from Psalms 72:9: "They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.”

Like a lamb to the slaughter
The phrase is used to describe a helpless victim, someone who's oblivious to being led into a bad situation. Isaiah 53:7 reads: "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

A drop in the bucket
This idiom means that a small thing doesn't really affect the big picture. The phrase "a drop in the ocean" is also very common. As for the roots, it comes from Isaiah 40:15: "Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he takes up the isles as fine dust."

The root of the matter
The phrase is used to describe the focal point of a matter. Job 19:28 reads: "But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the Root of the matter is found in me?"

No rest for the wicked
This phrase is usually used lightheartedly, when one must endure a task. It comes from the idea that evildoers face eternal punishment. Isaiah 57:20-21 reads: "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'"

To move mountains
This popular expression is all about achieving great things, including feats that seem impossible. After all, "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing," (1 Corinthians 13:2).

To cast pearls before swine
This idiom is about offering valuable things to people who don't appreciate them. Matthew 7:6 reads: "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Scapegoat
Being a scapegoat (blamed for others' wrongdoings) can be traced all the way back to the Old Testament. Leviticus 16:9-10 says: "Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat."

There’s nothing new under the sun
This phrase means there's simply nothing new, that everything has been done, seen, etc. It's often associated with monotony. Ecclesiastes 1:9 reads: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

Twinkling of an eye
This idiom is used to express something that happens very quickly. Its Biblical roots come from 1 Corinthians 15:52, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Sign of the times
Many of us have used this expression to describe something that only happens now, usually with a negative connotation. Matthew 16:3 mentions it, "And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

Nothing but skin and bones
The phrase is usually used to describe someone who's unwell, unhealthy, or ill. The expression comes from Job 19:19-20, which reads: "All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones."

Forbidden fruit
The phrase is used to describe something that we desire because is not allowed. It's a reference to Adam and Eve and the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Genesis 3:3 explains: "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die."

For everything there is a season
Emotions, experiences, and everything else will be experienced throughout different stages of life. Ecclesiastes 3 explains that, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Can a leopard change his spots?
This is used as a rhetorical question in reference to something (usually bad) that a person can't change. It comes from Jeremiah 13:23: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil."

By the skin of your teeth
This phrase is used when one just achieved something but nearly missed it. It implies a very narrow margin. It's Biblical roots can be found in Job 19:20: "My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth."

The blind leading the blind
This idiom is used to describe when one gets advice and is led by someone with no knowledge on the matter. Matthew 15:13-14 makes reference to it. "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

A millstone around your neck
This phrase is all about carrying a responsibility, a heavy burden. The Biblical reference can be found in Luke 17:2, which reads: "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin."

A fly in the ointment
The phrase is used to express a minor nuisance, something that annoys us and spoils the moment. Ecclesiastes 10:1 reads: "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor."

To fall by the wayside
When something falls by the wayside, it usually means something was not achieved because it was abandoned or canceled. The phrase is rooted in Luke 8:5 and the Parable of the Sower, who "went out to sow his seeds, and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it."

Feet of clay
This expression refers to a weakness that can lead to the downfall of someone or something. There is a reference to it in Daniel (2:31-45), where he talks about a dream and a statue that had "legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them."

Good Samaritan
This is a popular expression used to make reference to someone who helps without asking for anything in return, showing unselfishness and compassion. It comes from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37.

At your wit's end
This phrase can be used as a way to express struggle, not knowing what to do, being puzzled and perplexed. It's rooted in Psalm 107, where reference is made to sailors caught in a storm. "They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end," (Psalm 107:27).

Writing's on the wall
This phrase is usually used as a presage that something bad is about to happen. It originally comes from Daniel 5.

Sources: (Mental Floss) (Unlocking the Bible) (Improving Your English)