Hmong spirituality is deeply tied to the land. Rituals often involve honoring the "spirits of the land and skies," and certain mountain features are believed to house powerful deities.
A grandparent points to a calendar photo of misty peaks and whispers, “Peb lub tebchaws qub” (Our old country). A young Hmong American artist paints blue hills over a city skyline, not sure why, but knowing it feels like home. A family drives to the Rocky Mountains for the first time, and the father stands in silence, finally breathing air that feels tso siab tau —trustworthy. duab toj siab