The engraved Chinese characters in the picture mean "the most
respectful (or honorable) mountain." In ancient times, Chinese emperors would normally go to Tai mountain
and pray to God. Consequently, the mountain was honored as well. The direct translation
of the four characters should be "the most respectful one among the five tallest
mountains." The "five tallest mountains" are Tai, Heng (north), Heng (south), Hua and
Song. Of course the Chinese had not discovered the Himalyas at that time. (Thanks to Xia
(Sam) Zhang for this explanation.)