Metaphor of the Horse in Mongolian Folklore

本研究以《成吉思汗笔下的两匹马》系列文本为依据，阐释了蒙古族民间传说中马的隐喻。从片名可以看出，这个故事与成吉思汗息息相关。因此，本课题与蒙古族最受欢迎的经典著作《蒙古秘史》密切相关。这个故事在居住在外面的蒙古人中代代相传，但位于黄河弯道的奥尔杜斯地区是这一传统的中心。据《蒙古秘史》记载，成吉思汗的夫人叶遂·哈坦在成吉思汗的遗嘱中被授予奥杜斯地区。如果把《成吉思汗的两匹马》中的马看作是两个私生女(我对马的比喻)，那么鞑靼人(被成吉思汗推翻的一个民族)的叶遂和叶松根或两个姐妹就是马的典范。

This study elucidates the metaphor of the horse in Mongolian folklore based on a series of texts called "Genghis Khan's Two Horses". As evident from the title, the story is closely related to Genghis Khan. Therefore, the subject is closely connected to the "Secret History of the Mongols",the most popular classic among the Monglians. This story has been passed down through generations among the Mongolians living outside, but the Ordus region, located at the bend of the Yellow River, is the centre of the tradition. According to the "Secret History of the Mongols", Yesui Khatan, a consort of Genghis Khan, was granted the Ordus region in Genghis Khan's will. If the horses in "Genghis Khan's Two Horses" are viewed as two illegitimate wives (my hypothesis regarding the metaphor of the horse), then, Yesui and Yesungen or two sisters, who are Tatars (an ethnic group overthrown by Genghis Khan),are the models for the horses.