Metaphor of the Horse in Mongolian Folklore

本文以《成吉思汗的两匹马》系列文本为基础，对蒙古族民间传说中马的隐喻进行了阐释。从标题可以看出，这个故事与成吉思汗密切相关。因此，这门学科与蒙古人最喜爱的经典《蒙古秘史》有着密切的联系。这个故事在居住在外面的蒙古人中代代相传，但位于黄河转弯处的鄂尔多斯地区是这个传统的中心。据《蒙古秘史》记载，成吉思汗的妻子叶绥汗在成吉思汗的遗嘱中被授予鄂尔多斯地区。如果把《成吉思汗的两匹马》中的马看作是两个私生女（我对马的隐喻的假设），那么，Yesui和Yesungen或者是鞑靼人（被成吉思汗推翻的民族）的两个姐妹就是马的原型。

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.