Symbolism of the Number Seven in the Secret History of the Mongols: A Review of the Possibility of Textual Distortion

This article examines the meanings of the number seven as it repeatedly appears in The Secret History of The Mongols(hereafter SHM) and explores how this numerical symbolism affected both historical narration and genealogical representation within the text. In Mongolian symbolic traditions, the number seven is commonly associated with negative connotations such as death and punishment, and this symbolic understanding is reflected in the narrative structure of the SHM. For example, this study argues that Yesügei’s pursuit of Yeke Čiledü “across seven hills” is not a literal description of distance but an implicit metaphor for Čiledü’s death. In this context, the narrative treatment can also be understood as an attempt by the author of the SHM to mitigate the moral gravity of Yesügei’s abduction of Hö’elün. Numerical symbolism likewise influences genealogical accounts. The “seven sons” of Menen Tudun and Qabul Qa’an are recorded inconsistently across different sources with regard to both number and names. In particular, the sons of Menen Tudun are listed with alliterative Qa- names, suggesting a formulaic or symbolic construction rather than a faithful record of historical individuals. The number seven here carries layered meanings. On the one hand, since menen denotes “many,” the expression “seven sons” may simply signify “numerous sons.” On the other hand, comparative evidence from Turkic inscriptions and shamanistic traditions indicates that the number seven frequently appears in contexts marking turning points or transitional moments. The generations of Menen Tudun and Qabul Qa’an likewise represent critical junctures in Mongolian history. Accordingly, this article proposes that fluctuations in genealogical numbers within the SHM may reflect the multivalent symbolism of the number seven, encompassing both abundance and historical transition. By employing numerical symbolism, the author of the SHM shaped narrative evaluations of moral transgression, character assessment, and major historical transformations.