Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has always had a deep affection for the Hungarians' oriental roots. He said many years ago that there was a deep connection between the Hungarians and the Huns of ancient China. This view is not fabricated out of thin air, but has a certain historical basis. The Xiongnu were once a powerful people active in northern China, who roamed the grasslands during the Qin and Han dynasties and created their own glory.
The Xiongnu Empire reached its peak under the leadership of Mao Dun Shan Yu, but due to a variety of complex factors, it eventually split up and moved westward. These westward migration of the Xiongnu gradually integrated into the various ethnic groups of Eurasia, influenced the course of European history, and also paved the way for later ethnic migration and cultural exchanges. Given these historical backgrounds, could it really be that the Hungarians were descendants of the ancient Huns?
There is quite a bit of linguistic and cultural evidence of the Hungarian connection with the Huns. First of all, both China and Hungary have a tradition of the zodiac. Although there are 11 animals that are the same, the Hungarian zodiac sign replaces the tiger with a leopard. Also, Hungarian names are arranged in the same way as in China, with the surname coming first, which is the opposite of what is done in most Western countries.
In addition, both the English name of Hungary and the early English name of the Xiongnu contain the syllable "Hun". Among many peoples in Central Asia and northern China, the syllable "Hun" means "person". In his novel "The Knights of the Huns", the Hungarian national treasure writer Kommor directly referred to the Hungarians as the descendants of the Huns, which had a wide influence.
There is also an archaeological discovery that has sparked discussion. In 1907, Hungarian explorers discovered an ancient tomb complex in Xinjiang, and modern archaeologists have re-examined these tombs and found that the funerary goods in them are very similar to those found in Hungary in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Ugol ethnic minority near the tombs, whose culture differs from the local Uyghurs, especially their folk songs, have 73 songs that exactly match the Hungarian pentatonic scale. Do these linguistic, cultural and archaeological similarities really prove that there was a direct connection between the Hungarians and the Huns?
Although there is a variety of linguistic, cultural, and archaeological evidence to support the claim that the Hungarians were linked to the ancient Huns, Hungarian officials have always been negative about this claim. They prefer to maintain a unified national identity rather than accept this ancient historical connection. There are complex political and social reasons behind this stance, mainly to maintain the image of a national unity and an independent country.
There is widespread controversy in academia. The French scholar De Quini was the first to put forward the idea that the Hungarians were linked to the Huns, and the British historian Gibbon and the German scholar Xia De also supported this theory. In China, many famous scholars also agree with this view, such as Mr. Zhang Taiyan, who pointed out that Hungary is the Xiongnu. Although not officially recognized, this academic research and historical evidence does spark a lot of discussion and reflection.
Although Hungary officially denies this historical connection, in reality the relationship between Hungary and China is very friendly. The two countries have established an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two sides have extensive cooperation and exchanges in the economic, cultural, and other fields. The importance of this modern diplomatic relationship goes far beyond historical controversy, and it demonstrates the friendship and common interests of the two peoples. So, is this historical connection really relevant in modern international relations, or is it just an interesting topic in cultural exchange?