In the pursuit of longcheng in asian huns

Abstract

This article is an attempt to search for the meaning and the place of Longcheng, an ancient Xiongnu settlement. It was written in the Chinese dynastic histories that the Xiongnu had been gathering in the Longcheng during the fifth month. Most of the researchers translated the word Longcheng as Dragon City. Thus, most of the researches assume an existence of a dragon cult among the Xiongnu. This meaning is discussed in the article by translating all the records related to the Longcheng in Shiji, Hanshu and Hou Hanshu. It is expressed in the article that the meaning of Dragon City for the Longcheng is not certain. Besides, the existence of a dragon cult among Xiongnu is also discussed in the article. Finally, the place of the Longcheng is tried to be identified.