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The Huns also spoke of righteousnessWhat is the purpose behind the brutality of the human head wine glass?Historically, the head glass was seen as a barbaric act, but why did the ancients do it?In fact, the purpose of this kind of behavior is more than that. The earliest depictions of human head goblets were of the Scythians, who made goblets out of enemy heads to entertain dignitaries. Such an act is very cruel, but it also means victory and glory. In Chinese history, Zhao Xiangzi used Zhibo's head to make a wine cup, and Xiongnu Lao Shangshan Yu also used the head of the Yueshi King to make drinking utensils. This also became an important reason for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to unite with the Dayue clan to fight the Xiongnu. Although it may seem barbaric, the head wine glass also has its own special cultural meaning. In the life of the Huns, the oath occupied an important place, and many things required "blood alliance" and were accompanied by important ceremonies. It seems that there is also a sense of showing off and commemorating the victory. However, this behavior also aroused anger and hatred among other peoples, such as the Yueshi who took revenge on the Huns. It also makes us reflect on the fact that cultural expressions should be peaceful, not at the expense of harming others.
Overall, although the head wine glass is seen as a barbaric and brutal act, there is also a cultural element behind it. It is a way of expressing victory and glory, but it also provokes hatred among other peoples, so it requires us to reflect on the way our culture is expressed and present it in a peaceful way. What do you think of this cultural approach?Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. The Huns did not have the same view of the human head as we do, and they regarded it as the most important part of the human body. This notion has been confirmed by a number of events in history. In 50 BC, Hu Han Yeshan Yu came to Wuyuansai to participate in the court, and the Han Dynasty sent Han Chang, the commander of the chariot cavalry, to lead 16,000 cavalry to escort him back. The Xiongnu regime was not very peaceful at that time, and the Han Dynasty not only sent people to defend the Huhan evil, but also transferred thousands of soldiers and horses from the border counties to provide 34,000 Hugu rice and dry food for the Xiongnu to eat. Han Chang, Zhang Meng and others stayed in the Southern Xiongnu for a while, and after the situation was stabilized, they wanted to return. The Xiongnu ministers often advised Han Yeshan to return to his homeland in the north, and they were worried that it would be difficult to restrain them after going north, so they made an alliance with them.
The covenant stipulates that the Han and the Xiongnu are one family, do not cheat each other, attack each other, and those who have thieves must report to each other, and the thieves will be killed and repay the stolen propertyIn the event of an enemy invasion, both sides should send troops to their aid. Regardless of the Han or the Xiongnu, whoever dares to break the covenant first will be punished by heaven. The alliance made by Chang, Meng and others with Huhan Yeshan Yu is also a proof that the Huns regard the human head as a solemn proof. The status of human heads among the Huns may have stemmed from their living environment and way of living. The Xiongnu were nomadic herders in the steppes for a long time, and the deaths of relatives or companions were often caused by war and disease. They may believe that the human head is the most precious part of the human body and the last respect for the life of the deceased. In the eyes of the Huns, the higher the identity of the human skull, the more solemn it can prove. Wishing to prove their former covenant or as a show off, to explain or explain to others what they had done, it is not difficult to understand that the Huns used the human head as a symbol. In addition, human heads have different meanings for different cultures and religions. In Hinduism, the human head represents "wisdom".
Lord Shiva, one of the three main deities of Hinduism, has the image of multiple heads. In ancient China, the human head was also used as one of the parts of the statue of a god. For example, the mythical Nuwa is depicted as a human deity with a human head and a snake body. In conclusion, different cultures have different understandings and perceptions of human heads. The Xiongnu regarded the human head as a solemn and important proof precisely because of the influence of their living environment and cultural background. In any case, this perception is different from the values we hold now, and it has been eliminated today. Han Dynasty generals Han Chang and Zhang Meng held an oath ceremony with Hu Han Yeshan Yu and his ministers at Dongshan on the Xiongnu Nuo water, and swore an oath with a human head wine cup to show its sacredness and solemnity. However, after returning to the Han Dynasty, some people objected to this, believing that it damaged the image of the Han Dynasty, and even asked to send envoys to the Xiongnu territory to "retract" the oath. Although the ministers were dissatisfied with the oath, the Han emperor did not break the alliance with the Xiongnu, but instead considered the generals' fault not serious and punished them with atonement. In the end, the Xiongnu regime was truly pacified, and the Xiongnu also recorded this story in Chinese historical books.
Therefore, it may be a misunderstanding to define the Huns' human head wine cup in terms of barbarism and brutality. Do you think the oath in this story is correct?Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts.