What does a mantle mean?

I'm quite curious about the term 'mantle'. Could you possibly elucidate its meaning for me? It seems to be used in various contexts, but I'm not quite sure how to interpret it accurately. Is it related to a garment, perhaps a cloak or a cape? Or does it have a deeper, more metaphorical significance? Could you provide some examples of its usage in different scenarios, so that I can better grasp its meaning and usage? Your clarification would be greatly appreciated.