For Oracle, we mount the instance to the database or mount the database to the instance?

From Oracle Docs : > Start the instance, and mount and open > the database. This can be done in > unrestricted mode, allowing access to > all users, or in restricted mode, > allowing access for database > administrators only. > > .... > > To mount a database to a previously > started, but not opened instance, use > the SQL statement ALTER DATABASE with > the MOUNT clause as follows: > > ALTER DATABASE MOUNT; The first part gives me the impression that we are mounting the instance to the database. But the *"To mount a database to a previously started, but not opened instance"* part makes me think that we are mounting the database to an instance. What is the correct interpretation when working with Oracle database instances?