Sulde Altar

Sulde Altar

In the Sulde Altar, located southwest of the Mausoleum Palace of Genghis Khan, is enshrined the military emblem of Genghis Khan — the divine spear Sulde, known as the "Steadfast Spear." "Sulde" means emblem in Mongolian. Thus, the Sulde is the military emblem of Genghis Khan, an invincible battle flag, and a god of war that cannot be defeated.

The assembly of the main Sulde and four accompanying Suldes, known as the "Four-Horsemen Banner Formation," is a symbol of...

...the god of war, the guardian of peace and good fortune, and a representation of Genghis Khan’s fearless spirit and overwhelming strength. The tassels of the Sulde are made from the manes of ninety-nine stallions. The altar also houses the Arag Sulde (Flower Banner) of the Great Mongol Empire. The altar is 15.4 meters high and 54 meters in diameter.

Legend has it that once, after suffering a defeat in battle against his enemies, Genghis Khan gathered his soldiers and delivered a speech titled “The Army’s Heart Is As Firm As Iron.” He spoke until dusk, when the stars and moon shone in the sky, yet he continued to emphasize, “The army’s heart is as firm as iron, moving even the sun and moon.” At that moment, a flash of light split the sky, and a bright star fell to a spot no more than a man’s height above the ground. Genghis Khan ordered his generals to retrieve it, but they failed. Suddenly enlightened, he personally removed the carved golden saddle from his red horse, took off his red-tasseled golden helmet, knelt on the saddle, and prayed with a loyal heart. In response, a gleaming iron spear fell into his hands. He then instructed his generals to pad it with the mane of a black stallion and to perform a ritual sacrifice with the blood of ten thousand sheep, declaring, “This is the emblem of the people’s will, the army’s spirit, and victory. Let us call it ‘Sulde.’” From then on, the Sulde ensured Genghis Khan’s victory in every battle.

The worship ceremonies of the Sulde mainly include the New Year’s ceremony on the first day of the first lunar month; the Spring ceremony on the third day of the first lunar month; smaller ceremonies are generally held on the first and third days of each month; the Summer Camp ceremony is held on the third day of the fourth lunar month; the Grand Ceremony is held on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month; and once every twelve years in a Dragon Year, a grand Sulde ceremony is held on the third day of the tenth lunar month, followed by a grand 13-yearly ceremony from the fifth to the seventh day at Minganmudu. Minganmudu is located ten kilometers due north of the Sulde Holor and three li from the center of the Bort Sum. Here grows a large, leafy elm tree.

Legend says that when Genghis Khan set out to conquer the Western Xia, to pray for victory in battle, he once danced and celebrated with his entire army under this leafy tree. After worshipping the Sulde, they marched to the battlefield. That year was a Dragon Year, and in memory of this event, the Sulde must be worshipped here (at Minganmudu) with a grand ceremony every Dragon Year.

In addition to enshrining the Har Sulde (Black Spear), the Sulde Altar also houses an Arag Sulde (Flower Spear). The Arag Sulde is the spear of Genghis Khan’s younger brother, the divine archer Hasar. Its difference from the Har Sulde lies in the thousand-wise eyes painted on its shaft and the Big Dipper embedded on the golden divine spear at its tip.

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