CHINA
All Under Heaven
The most populous nation in the world
has had numerous names. The word
“China” itself was derived from the Qin
Dynasty (pronounced “chin”), established
by Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor.
Likewise, another name, “Cathay,”
came from the famous traveler Marco
Polo, who referred to northern China by
such a name (and southern China as
“Mangi”). Readers may know of the airline
Cathay Pacific, and its Marco Polo Club,
exclusive to “modern-day Marco Polos”—
frequent flyers.
Another name for China is “Zhongguo,”
from the words Zhong (“center”)
and Guo(“country”). Literally it could be
interpreted as “the central country,” but
a more apt translation would be “The
Middle Kingdom.”
For centuries, the people of China believed
the land was at the very core of creation
under heaven. The further you travel away
from this center, the more barbarous and
inhospitable the lands become. In a sense,
they were correct. Outside their borders
and their famed Great Wall lay the various
steppe tribes—the Xionnu and Shan Yue
raiders and the countless hordes of the
Mongols and Oirats. “Zhongguo” was also
used as the shortened version of “The
People’s Republic of China.”
ARMENIA
The Family Tree
The small landlocked nation bordered by Turkey, Iran, and
Georgia, has had a long-storied history with monotheistic
religions. It is widely considered the first nation to have
adopted Christianity as the official state religion in the
year 301.
Armenia, which is derived from the Old Persian language
as “Armina,” has another name for itself: “Hayk,” after a
descendant of Noah said to have settled in those lands
near Mount Ararat. An even more complete interpretation
would cite the country as “The Land of Noah’s GreatGreat-Grandson, Hayk.” In legend, Hayk left for a time
to assist in building the Tower of Babel. Upon his return,
his lands were encroached upon by a Babylonian king
whom he killed in battle.
Later on, the country’s name was changed to Hayastan
(the Persian suffix “‑stan” means “land”).
Another legend tells of Armenia being derived from
“Aram” (“a great-great-grandson of Hayk’s great-greatgrandson”) who is considered by some locals the
ancestor of all Armenians.