# Venerable Asia — Leaves of Grass character guide

> Venerable Asia in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Venerable priestly Asia, Old Asia

**First appearance:** 0047-song-of-myself

## Who they are

Personified ancient continent, symbol of age and wisdom.

## In the story

### [Facing West from California’s Shores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/facing-west-from-california-s-shores)

Referenced as the house of maternity, the land of migrations, and the starting point of the journey.

### [Salut au Monde!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/salut-au-monde)

Saluted as an ancient and priestly continent, part of the global greeting.

### [Chapter 7: Visions of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/7)

Implied through the steppes, tumuli, and nomadic tribes of Asia.

### [Superb-Faced Manhattan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/2)

Appears as the 'Originatress', the race of Brahma, and the ancient civilizations of the Orient.

### [Libertad and the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/3)

Described as the all-mother sending messages to Libertad, representing ancient wisdom and origin.

### [Chapter 4: The Music of All Nations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/4)

The narrator hears the sacred imperial hymns of China and Hindu flutes, evoking the ancient traditions of Asia.

### [Passage to India](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/passage-to-india)

The ancient destination, symbolizing wisdom, spirituality, and the cradle of civilization.

### [Passage to India](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/3)

Implied as the destination of the Suez Canal route, linking Europe to Asia.

### [Ship of Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/4)

Personified as sailing with the ship, symbolizing the ancient civilizations and their contributions.

### [What Best I See in Thee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/what-best-i-see-in-thee)

Referenced as part of the feudal Europe and venerable Asia that fêted Grant.

### [Washington’s Monument, February, 1885](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/washington-s-monument-february-1885)

Personified as old Asia with a venerable smile, seated amid ruins, greeting the new hero as the legitimate heir of a never-broken line.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/venerable_asia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters