BabelStone Blog
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Khitan Geography Part 2
Last week I made a list of Liao dynasty place names written in the Khitan Large Script that have been identified in Khitan epitaphs and manuscripts (Khitan Geography Part 1), and this week I have done the same thing for the Khitan Small Script, although as some Khitan Small Script inscriptions date to the Jin Dynasty, this post covers both Liao dynasty (907–1125) place names and Jin dynasty (1115–1234) place names.
As is the case with the Khitan Large Script, there are no surviving dictionaries or glossaries for the Khitan Small Script, and scholars have had to try to decipher the script from the surviving examples of Khitan Small Script texts, mostly stone epitaphs for members of the Khitan aristocracy. The Khitan Small Script is a mixed writing system, with a relatively small number of logographic characters that are used to represent frequently used vocabulary such as numbers and the cardinal directions, and a larger number of phonetic elements (phonograms) that can be joined together into a rectangular block (polygram) to represent the pronunciation of a word. About 380 individual phonograms or logograms have been identified, and scholars have been able to work out the approximate pronunciation of many phonograms. This means that it is much easier to read (though not necessarily understand) Khitan Small Script text than Khitan Large Script text, but it is still very far from being fully deciphered, and as yet we can only confidently recognise some core vocabulary and a large number of Chinese loan words. I have gone through about a dozen published Khitan Small Script epitaphs, and have extracted all the place names that have been identified by scholars working on these texts. I have given phonetic reconstructions for place names based on the phonogram values listed by Daniel Kane in his The Kitan Language and Script (Brill, 2009).
For technical reasons Khitan words on this page are displayed horizontally in linear format rather than vertically in polygram blocks as they are in the actual inscriptions (except for "seal script" inscriptions on epitaph covers, which are written vertically in linear format).
Detail of the Epitaph for Yelü Dilie 耶律迪烈 (KS:M26) showing the place name Wu'an Prefecture 武安州 (top of middle column)
Index of Liao and Jin Dynasty Khitan Small Script Place Names
Countries
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M26 (1) KS:M36 (1) |
𘲇 𘰺𘱹𘰻 𘬭𘯤 𘱿𘱤 𘱚𘮒 GREAT t-iau-dû xu-rả qid-i g-úr |
大中央哈喇契丹國 | Great Central (Qara?) Khitan Kingdom |
| KS:M32 (1) |
𘲇 𘬭𘯤 𘱿𘱤 𘱚𘮒 GREAT xu-rả qid-i g-úr |
大哈喇契丹國 | |
| KS:M36 (4) |
𘬭𘯤 𘱿𘱤 𘱚𘮒 xu-rả qid-i g-úr |
哈喇契丹國 | |
| KS:M04 (0) |
𘲇 𘲌𘮒𘲫 𘬭𘯤 𘱿𘲫𘱤 GREAT dau-úr-ún xu-rả qid-ún-i |
大中央哈喇契丹 | |
| KS:M32 (27) |
𘬭𘯤 𘱿𘲫𘱤 xu-rả qid-ún-i |
哈喇契丹 | |
| KS:M38 (1) |
𘲇 𘮝 𘱚𘮒 GREAT GOLD g-úr |
大金國 | Great Golden Kingdom |
| KS:M14 (11, 12, 15) |
𘰭𘱤𘯗 𘱚𘮒 n-i-gu g-úr |
||
| KS:M14 (8) |
𘰺𘰴 𘱚𘮒 ta-da g-úr |
韃靼國 | Tatar Kingdom |
Capitals
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M26 (25, 33) |
𘲚𘰥 𘱚𘮰 ú-ur g-iŋ |
Upper Capital or Superior Capital 上京 [Liao, Jin] |
Modern Baarin Left Banner 巴林左旗, Inner Mongolia [Jin dynasty Superior Capital was located at Acheng 阿城, Harbin, Heilongjiang] |
| KS:M27 (2) |
𘲚𘰥 𘱚𘬛𘱫 ú-ur g-iu-uŋ [1] |
||
| KS:M14 (19) KS:M20 (11) KS:M26 (18) KS:M32 (17) |
𘲰𘱫 𘱚𘮰 ju-uŋ g-iŋ |
Central Capital 中京 [Liao and Jin until 1153, when renamed the Northern Capital] |
Modern Damingzhen Township 大明鎮, west of Ningcheng 寧城, Inner Mongolia |
| KS:M26 (19) |
𘭶𘰥 𘱚𘮰 ud-ur g-iŋ (or du-ur g-iŋ) |
Eastern Capital 東京 [Liao and Jin] |
Modern Liaoyang 遼陽, Liaoning |
| KS:M23 (16) |
𘰷𘱤 𘱚𘮰 s-i g-iŋ |
Western Capital 西京 [Liao and Jin] |
Modern Datong 大同, Shanxi |
| KS:M26 (23) |
𘰺𘭵 𘱚𘮰 te-gẻ g-iŋ |
Southern Capital 南京 [2] [Liao; known as the Central Metropolis 中都 during the Jin dynasty] |
Modern Beijing 北京 |
| KS:M14 (16) KS:M23 (1, 23, 24) |
𘰴𘭵 𘱚𘮰 de-gẻ g-iŋ |
||
| KS:M27 (3) |
𘰺𘭵 𘱚𘬛𘱫 te-gẻ g-iu-uŋ [1] |
||
| KS:M17 (1, 35) |
𘱄𘲼𘯶 𘱚𘮰 l-au-o g-iŋ |
Luo Capital 洛京 [Western capital of the Song dynasty, not within the territory of Liao. The Governor of the Luo Capital (洛京留守) was a ceremonial position given to the Prince of Xu.] |
Modern Luoyang 洛陽, Henan |
Notes
- g-iu-uŋ normally transcribes Chinese 宮 gōng "palace" rather than 京 jīng "capital".
- The meaning of te-gẻ ~ de-gẻ is uncertain, and has been variously interpreted as meaning "south" for Southern Capital 南京, or "lower" for Lower Capital (in contrast with the Upper Capital 上京), or "swallow" for Yanjing 燕京, all refering to what is now Beijing. The same name occurs in both Liao dynasty epitaphs (KS:M26, KS:M27) and Jin dynasty epitaphs (KS:M14, KS:M23), but as modern Beijing was only known as the Southern Capital during the Liao dynasty, it would have been anachronistic to call it the Southern Capital during the Jin dynasty, and so it is perhaps more likely that the name was Yanjing, as this name was used during both dynasties.
Circuits
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Capital Circuit 上京道 |
Centred on the Superior Capital | ||
| Central Capital Circuit 中京道 |
Centred on the Central Capital | ||
| Eastern Capital Circuit 東京道 |
Centred on the Eastern Capital | ||
| Western Capital Circuit 西京道 |
Centred on the Western Capital | ||
| Southern Capital Circuit 南京道 |
Centred on the Southern Capital |
Superior Prefectures
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dading Superior Prefecture 大定府 |
Prefectural seat at the Central Capital | ||
| Datong Superior Prefecture 大同府 |
Prefectural seat at the Western Capital | ||
| Huanglong Superior Prefecture 黃龍府 |
Prefectural seat at modern Nong'an 農安, Jilin | ||
| Liaoyang Superior Prefecture 遼陽府 |
Prefectural seat at the Eastern Capital | ||
| Linhuang Superior Prefecture 臨潢府 |
Prefectural seat at the Superior Capital | ||
| Xijin Superior Prefecture 析津府 |
Prefectural seat at the Southern Capital | ||
| Xingzhong Superior Prefecture 興中府 |
Prefectural seat at modern Chaoyang 朝陽, Liaoning |
Liao Dynasty Prefectures
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M17 (10) |
𘯺𘬐 𘲽𘭕 a-an c-eu |
An Prefecture 安州 |
Modern Simiancheng 四面城, in the north of Changtu County, Liaoning |
| KS:M15 (14) |
𘮧𘲚 𘲽𘭕 p-ú c-eu |
Bao Prefecture 保州 |
Modern Uiju County, North Pyongan, North Korea |
| KS:M10 (8) |
𘮧𘱶 𘬥𘱊 𘲽𘭕 p-úŋ ś-eŋ c-eu |
Fengsheng Prefecture 奉聖州 |
Modern Zhuolu 涿鹿, Hebei |
| KS:M10 (2) |
𘱚𘲼 𘲽𘭕 g-au c-eu |
Gao Prefecture 高州 |
Northeast of modern Chifeng 赤峰, Inner Mongolia |
| KS:M17 (20) |
𘱥𘬐 𘲽𘭕 x-an c-eu |
Han Prefecture 韓州 |
Within modern Changtu County, Liaoning |
| KS:M29 (2) |
𘱄𘯰 𘲽𘭕 l-iúŋ c-eu |
Long Prefecture 龍州 |
Modern Ning'an 寧安, Heilongjiang |
| KS:M27 (21) |
𘬥𘱀 𘲽𘭕 ś-em c-eu |
Shen Prefecture 瀋州 |
Modern Shenyang 瀋陽, Liaoning |
| KS:M20 (2) |
𘬥𘲦 𘲽𘭕 ś-en c-eu |
||
| KS:M26 (18) |
𘭘𘲚 𘯺𘬐 𘲽𘭕 w-ú a-an c-eu |
Wu'an Prefecture 武安州 |
Modern Fengshou Township 豐收鄉, Aohan Banner,Inner Mongolia |
| KS:M27 (21) |
𘱥𘱓𘭛 𘲽𘭕 x-ie-ên c-eu |
Xian Prefecture 顯州 |
Modern Beizhen 北鎮, Liaoning |
| KS:M26 (16) |
𘮡𘱊 𘲽𘭕 iú-ŋ c-eu |
Yong Prefecture 永州 |
Modern Xinsumo Sumu, Ongniud Banner, Inner Mongolia |
| KS:M15 (20) |
𘲽𘯶 𘲽𘭕 c-o c-eu |
Ze Prefecture 澤州 |
Modern Jincheng 晉城, Shanxi |
Jin Dynasty Prefectures
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M14 (22) |
𘮽𘲋 𘲽𘭕 b-oh c-eu |
Bo Prefecture 博州 |
Modern Liaocheng 聊城, Shandong |
| KS:M38 (3) |
𘱄𘱤 𘲽𘭕 l-i c-eu |
Li Prefecture 醴州 |
Modern Qian County 乾縣, Shaanxi |
| KS:M14 (23) |
𘮛𘬚 𘲽𘭕 k-in c-eu |
Qin Prefecture 沁州 |
Modern Qinyuan 沁源, Shanxi |
| KS:M38 (3) |
𘬜𘲼 𘲽𘭕 ei-au c-eu [1] |
You Prefecture 宥州 |
Modern Otog Front Banner, Inner Mongolia |
Notes
- You Prefecture (宥州 in the corresponding Chinese text) is called ei-au g-ün You Commandery 宥郡 in the Khitan text.
Commanderies (Ceremonial Fiefdoms of Commandery Princes)
Notes
- Qishui County is not a Liao dynasty administrative district, but is here a synonym for the ceremonial fiefdom of Qishui Commandery.
Rivers and Mountains
| Source | Khitan Name | Chinese Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M38 (1) |
𘱄𘭏 𘬥𘯺𘬐 l-iáŋ ś-a-an MOUNTAIN |
Liang Mountain 梁山 |
|
| KS:M29 (13) |
𘬜𘱓𘭛 𘬊 ei-ie-ên MOUNTAIN |
Yan Mountain 燕山 |
|
| KS:M26 (6) |
𘭕𘲀 𘰩𘬷𘲆𘱦 𘬊 eu-ul pu-kả-û-er MOUNTAIN |
Yunqing Mountain 雲慶山 |
Sources
Khitan Small Script Inscriptions
| No. | Description | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS:M01 | Epitaph for an unknown person | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | |
| KS:M02 | Epitaph for Court Attendant Yelü Yongning 耶律永寧郎君 (1059–1087) | Harqin Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1088 |
| KS:M03 | Epitaph for Deputy Administrator Yelü 耶律副部署 (Yelü Wumo 耶律兀没, 1031–1077) | Ar Horqin Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1102 |
| KS:M04 | Epitaph for Emperor Daozong of Liao 道宗 (1032–1101) | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1101 |
| KS:M05 | Epitaph for Emperor Xingzong of Liao 興宗 (1015–1054) | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1055 |
| KS:M06 | Epitaph for Empress Renyi 仁懿皇后 (?–1076) | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1076 |
| KS:M07 | Epitaph for Empress Xuanyi 宣懿皇后 (1040–1075) | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1101 |
| KS:M08 | Epitaph for Gu Shizhong (1015–1090) | Unknown | 1091 |
| KS:M09 | Epitaph for Madam Han 韓氏, second wife of the imperial son-in-law, Xiao Temei 蕭特每 | Unknown | 1078 |
| KS:M10 | Epitaph for Madam Yelü 耶律氏 (Yelü Tabuye 耶律挞不也) (1081–1115), the daughter of Yelü Dilie 耶律敵烈 | Ongniud Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1115 |
| KS:M11 | Epitaph for the Grand Preceptor Shilu 室魯太師 | Jarud Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1100 |
| KS:M12 | Epitaph for Xiao Hudujin 萧胡睹堇 (1041–1091) | Unknown | 1091 |
| KS:M13 | Epitaph for the Imperial Consort of Song and Wei 宋魏國妃 (1056–1080), the wife of Yelü Hongben | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1110 |
| KS:M14 | Epitaph for the Jin Dynasty Defense Commissioner of Bozhou 金代博州防禦使 (1079–1142) | Aohan Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1171 |
| KS:M15 | Epitaph for the Prefect of Zezhou 澤州刺史 (?–1107) | Bairin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1108 |
| KS:M16 | Epitaph for the Prince of Liang 梁國王 | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | 1107 |
| KS:M17 | Epitaph for the Prince of Xu 許王 | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | 1105 |
| KS:M18 | Epitaph for Prince Wotela 斡特剌 (1073–1099) | Unknown | 1099 |
| KS:M19 | Epitaph for Xiao Dilu 蕭敵魯 (1061–?) | Unknown | 1114 |
| KS:M20 | Epitaph for Xiao Linggong 蕭令公 (Xiao Fuliu 蕭富留) | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | 1057 |
| KS:M21 | Epitaph for Xiao Taishan 蕭太山 and Princess Yongqing 永清公主 | Unknown | |
| KS:M22 | Epitaph for Xiao Tuguci 蕭圖古辭 | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | 1068 |
| KS:M23 | Epitaph for Xiao Zhonggong 蕭仲恭 | Xinglong County, Hebei | 1150 |
| KS:M24 | Epitaph for Yelü Jiuli 耶律糺里 or Yelü Gui 耶律貴 (1061–1102) | Unknown | 1102 |
| KS:M25 | Epitaph for Yelü Cite 耶律慈特 (1043–1081) | Ar Horqin Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1082 |
| KS:M26 | Epitaph for Yelü Dilie 耶律迪烈 or Han Dilie 韓迪烈 (1026–1092) | Jarud Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1092 |
| KS:M27 | Epitaph for Yelü Dilie 耶律敵烈 or Han Dilie 韓敵烈 (1034–1100) | Bairin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1101 |
| KS:M28 | Epitaph for Yelü Gaoshi 耶律高十 or Han Gaoshi 韓高十 (1015–?) | Bairin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia | |
| KS:M29 | Epitaph for Imperial Grand Uncle (皇太叔祖) Yelü Hongben 耶律弘本 (1041–1110) | Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1110 |
| KS:M30 | Epitaph for Yelü Hongbian 耶律弘辨 or Yelü Hongyong 耶律弘用 (1054–1086) | Jarud Banner, Inner Mongolia | 1100 |
| KS:M31 | Epitaph for Yelü Jue 耶律玦 (1014–1070) | Unknown | 1072 |
| KS:M32 | Epitaph for Yelü Nu 耶律奴 (1041–1098) | Fuxin Mongol Autonomous County, Liaoning | 1099 |
| KS:M33 | Epitaph for Yelü Renxian 耶律仁先 | Beipiao, Liaoning | 1072 |
| KS:M34 | Epitaph for Yelü Taishi 耶律太師 (1038–1101) | Unknown | |
| KS:M35 | Epitaph for Yelü Xiangwen 耶律詳穩 (1010–1091) | Unknown | 1091 |
| KS:M36 | Epitaph for Yelü Zhixian 耶律智先 | Beipiao, Liaoning | 1094 |
| KS:M37 | Epitaph for Yelü Zongjiao 耶律宗教 (992–1053) | Beizhen, Liaoning | 1053 |
| KS:M38 | Record of the Younger Brother of the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty (大金皇弟都統經略郎君行記) | Qian County, Shaanxi | 1134 |
Google Map of Khitan Small Script Place Names
To accompany this post I have created a map of Liao and Jin dynasty Khitan Small Script place names on Google Maps (click on the tags to see the Khitan names, which are written vertically in polygram blocks, as in the original epitaphs).
Google Maps map showing Liao and Jin Dynasty locations with place names in Khitan Small Script
Last modified: 28 September 2020
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