A Study on Burkhan-Khaldun of the Secret History of the Mongols

Burkhan-Khaldun Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred landscape of Mongolia, is identified in the Secret History of the Mongols with four distinct names—Burkhan-Khaldun, Burkhan, Khaldun, and Khaldun-Burkhan—and appears 28 times across its verses. The study determines that references to Burkhan-Khaldun in the 1st and 9th verses correspond to two distinct locations: Burkhan-Khaldun in Barkhujin (northeastern Lake Baikal) and Burkhan-Khaldun in Kenti Mountains, Mongolia. Additionally, the research suggests a linguistic link between 'Khaldun' and the Korean term Godeung, associated with Jumong, the legendary founder of Goguryeo, while proposing that the mountain's name may also relate to willow or lightness (Balguem). The study further posits that Burkhan-Khaldun holds symbolic significance akin to underworld-related mountains in other cultures.

Park, W.-K. (2014). A Study on Burkhan-Khaldun of the Secret History of the Mongols. The Journal of Gojiseon & Dangun Studies, 30, 111. https://doi.org/10.18706/jgds.2014.06.30.111