The term Kunlun may be semantically related to two other terms: Hundun (), which is sometimes personified as a living creature; and kongdong (), according to Kristofer Schipper. Grotto-heavens were traditionally associated with mountains, as hollows or caves located in/on certain mountains. The term Kunlun Mountain can be translated as Cavernous Mountain: and, the mythological Kunlun mountain has been viewed as a hollow mountain (located directly under the Pole star).