1
史自遷、固，以迄晉、唐，其為書雄深浩博，讀者未能盡曉。 於是裴、顏師古、李賢、何超、董沖諸儒，訓詁音釋，然後制度、名物、方言、奇字，可以一覽而周知。 其有助於後學多矣。
From Sima Qian and Ban Gu through the Jin and Tang dynasties, the histories they wrote are vast and profound — so much so that readers cannot fully grasp them on their own. Scholars such as Pei Yin, Yan Shigu, Li Xian, He Chao, and Dong Chong then supplied phonetic and exegetical notes, making it possible to survey institutions, material objects, regional speech, and obscure characters in a single reading and understand them completely. They have been of immense benefit to later generations of scholars.
2
遼之初興，與奚、室韋密邇，土俗言語大概近俚。 至太祖、太宗，奄有朔方，其治雖三用漢法，而先世奇首、遙輦之制尚多存者。 子孫相繼，亦遵守而不易。 故史之所載，官制、宮衛、部族、地理，率以國語為之稱號。 不有注釋以辨之，則世何從而知，後何從而考哉。 今即本史三互研究，撰次遼國語解以附其後，庶幾讀者無齟齬之患云。
When the Liao state first emerged, it lay close to the Xi and Shiwei peoples, and its local customs and language were largely rustic and colloquial. By the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, the Liao had seized the northern frontier. Although their administration repeatedly adopted Chinese law, many institutions of the earlier Qishou and Yaolian eras still survived. Their descendants preserved these customs in succession, altering nothing. Accordingly, the offices, palace guards, tribal divisions, and place names recorded in the history are for the most part designated in the Khitan state language. Without explanatory glosses to clarify them, how could the present age understand them, or later generations verify them? We have therefore cross-referenced the three sections of this history and compiled an Explanation of the Liao State Language to append here, so that readers need not stumble over unfamiliar terms.
3
太祖紀
Annals of Emperor Taizu
4
耶律氏、蕭氏本紀首書太祖姓耶律氏，繼書皇后蕭氏，則有國之初，已分二姓矣。 有謂始興之地曰世裏，譯者以世裏為耶律，故國族皆以耶律為姓。 有謂述律皇后兄子名蕭翰者，為宣武軍節度使，其妹複為皇后，故後族皆以蕭為姓。 其說與紀不合，故陳大任不取。 又有言以漢字書者曰耶律、蕭，以契丹字書者曰移剌、石抹，則亦無可考矣。
Yelü and Xiao: the annals open by giving Taizu's surname as Yelü and the empress's as Xiao — showing that two clans were distinguished from the very founding of the state. One account holds that the land where the dynasty arose was called Shili; translators rendered this as Yelü, and the imperial clan accordingly adopted Yelü as its surname. Another account says that Xiao Han, nephew of Empress Shulü and Military Commissioner of the Xuanwu Army, had a sister who also became empress; the consort clan therefore took the surname Xiao. These explanations conflict with the annals, and Chen Daren rejected them. Some also say that in Chinese characters the names appear as Yelü and Xiao, while in Khitan script they appear as Yila and Shimo — but this too cannot be substantiated.
5
霞瀨益石烈鄉名。 諸宮下皆有石烈，設官治之。
Xialaiyi Shilie: the name of a district. Every palace district had its shilie subdivisions, each overseen by appointed officials.
6
弭裏鄉之小者。
Mili: a sub-district, smaller than a full district.
7
撻馬沙裏撻馬，人從也。 沙裏，郎君也。 管率眾人之官。 後有止稱撻馬者。
Tama and Shali: tama means personal attendants. Shali denotes a young nobleman or attendant lord. An official charged with supervising the people. Later the title was shortened to tama alone.
8
大迭烈府即迭剌部之府也。 初，阻午可汗與其弟撒裏本領之，及太祖以部夷離即位，因強大難制，析為二院。 烈、剌音相近。
Great Dielie Prefecture: the administrative seat of the Diela tribe. Originally Khan Zuwu and his brother Saben jointly governed it. When Taizu acceded as tribal yilij, the tribe had grown so powerful that it was split into two courts. The characters lie and la are phonetically similar.
9
夷離統軍馬大官。 會同初，改為大王。
Yili: a high office with command over armies and cavalry. At the opening of the Huitong era, the title was changed to Great King.
10
集會堝下窩、陀二音。 地名。
Jihui Guo: a place name with two pronunciations, wo and tuo. A place name.
11
阿主沙裏阿主，父祖稱。
Azhu Shali: azhu is an honorific for one's father or grandfather.
12
惕隱典族屬官。 即宗正職也。
Tiyin: an official in charge of clan affairs. Equivalent to the Chinese office of Director of the Imperial Clan.
13
奚、下音習。 國名。 中京地也。
Xi: the second character is pronounced xi. The name of a state. Land belonging to the Central Capital.
14
黑車子國也。 以善制車帳得名。 契丹之先，嘗遣人往學之。
Heichezi: a tribal state. So named because its people were skilled at making carts and tents. The Khitan ancestors once sent envoys to learn these crafts from them.
15
於越貴官，無所職。 其位居北、南大王上，非有大功德者不授。
Yuyue: a high honorific office with no defined administrative function. Its rank exceeded that of the Northern and Southern Great Kings, and was granted only to men of exceptional merit.
16
鷹軍鷹，鷙鳥； 以之名軍，取捷速之義。 後記龍軍、虎軍、鐵鷂軍者，仿此。 <一>
Eagle Army: the eagle is a fierce bird of prey; naming an army after it conveys the idea of speed and agility. Later references to the Dragon Army, Tiger Army, and Iron Harrier Army follow the same principle. <Note 1>
17
娘改上音丸。 地名。
Nianggai: the first character is pronounced wan. A place name.
18
西樓遼有四樓：在上京者曰西樓； 木葉山曰南樓； 龍化州曰東樓； 唐州曰北樓。 歲時游獵，常在四樓間。
Western Tower: the Liao had four towers; the one at the Supreme Capital was the Western Tower; Mount Muye was the Southern Tower; Longhua Prefecture was the Eastern Tower; Tang Prefecture was the Northern Tower. The emperors hunted seasonally, moving among the four towers.
19
阿點夷離的阿點，貴稱。 夷離的，大臣夫人之稱。
Adian Yilide: adian is an honorific form of address. Yilide denotes the wife of a high minister.
20
糾轄糾，軍名。 轄者，管束之義。
Jiuxia: jiu is the name of a military unit. Xia conveys the meaning of command and restraint.
21
夷離畢即三知政事，後置夷離畢院以掌刑政。 宋刁約使遼有詩雲「押宴夷離畢」，知其為執政官也。
Yilibi: equivalent to one of the Three Directors of Affairs; later a Yilibi Court was created to oversee criminal justice. The Song envoy Diao Yue wrote in a poem on his mission to Liao, 'presiding at the banquet, the Yilibi' — showing that this was a chief ministerial office.
22
射鬼箭凡帝親征，服介胄，祭諸先帝，出則取死囚一人，置所向之方，亂矢射之，名射鬼箭，以祓不祥。 及班師，則射所俘。 後因為刑法之用。
Shooting Ghost Arrows: when the emperor led a campaign in person, clad in armor, he first sacrificed to his ancestors. On departure he took a condemned prisoner, placed him in the direction of march, and riddled him with arrows — a rite called Shooting Ghost Arrows, intended to ward off misfortune. On the return march, captives were shot instead. Later the practice was incorporated into penal law.
23
暴裏惡人名也。
Baoli: the name of a villain.
24
大、小鵠軍二室韋軍號也。
Great and Small Goose Armies: designations of two Shiwei military units.
25
神從者所執。 以旄牛尾為之，纓槍屬也。
Shen: a standard carried by attendants. Made from yak tails, it belongs to the category of tasseled spears.
26
龍眉宮太祖取天梯、蒙國、別魯三山之勢於葦澱，射金齪箭以識之，名龍眉宮。 神冊三年，築都城於其地，臨潢府是也。 齪，測角切，箭名。
Dragon Eyebrow Palace: Taizu selected a site at a reed marsh where three mountains — Tianti, Mengguo, and Bielu — converged, marked it by shooting a golden cuo arrow, and named it Dragon Eyebrow Palace. In the third year of the Sence era, a capital was built there — present-day Linhuang Prefecture. Cuo, pronounced with the ce initial and jiao final: the name of an arrow type.
27
崤裏室韋部名。
Xiaoli: the name of a Shiwei tribe.
28
君基太一神福神名。 其神所臨之國，君能建極，孚於上下，則治化升平，民享多福。
Lord Foundation Great Unity Spirit: the name of a god of good fortune. In the land over which this deity presides, if the ruler upholds the highest standards and earns the trust of high and low alike, the realm enjoys peace and the people receive abundant blessings.
29
撻林官名。 後二室韋部改為僕射，又名司空。
Talin: an official title. Later the two Shiwei divisions were retitled Vice Director, also known as Minister of Works.
30
舍利契丹豪民耍裹頭巾者，納牛駝十頭，馬百疋，乃給官名曰舍利。 後遂為諸帳官，以郎君系之。
Sheli: wealthy Khitan men who wore wrapped headcloths could purchase the title by contributing ten oxen or camels and a hundred horses. It later became a tent-office title, paired with the rank of young lord.
31
阿廬朵裏一名阿魯敦。 貴顯名。 遼於越官兼此者，惟曷魯耳。
Aluduo Li, also known as Aludun. An honorific of high distinction. Of all Liao yuyue officials who also held this title, only Helu did so.
32
選底主獄官。
Xuandi: the chief prison administrator.
33
常袞官名。 掌遙輦部族戶籍等事； 奚六部常袞掌奚之族屬。
Changgun: an official title. Responsible for Yaolian tribal household registers and related affairs; the Changgun of the Six Xi Divisions oversaw Xi clan affairs.
34
貿海國主名。
Maohai: the name of a foreign ruler.
35
克釋魯克，官名。 釋魯，人名。 後克朗、克台哂仿此。
Ke Shilu: ke is an official title. Shilu is a person's name. Later titles such as Ke Lang and Ke Taishen follow the same pattern.
36
烏魯古、阿裏只太祖及述律後受降時所乘二馬名也，因賜夫婦以為名。
Ulugu and Alizhi: names of two horses ridden by Taizu and Empress Shulü when accepting a surrender; the names were bestowed on the couple.
37
太宗紀
Annals of Emperor Taizong
38
箭山音。 胡損奚所居。
Jian: pronounced with the shan initial. The dwelling place of the Husun Xi.
39
民冊禮名。 積薪為壇，受群臣玉冊。 禮畢，燔柴，祀天。 阻午可汗制也。
Mince: the name of a ritual. Firewood was piled to form an altar, and the emperor received jade memorials from his ministers. When the ceremony ended, a fire was lit to sacrifice to Heaven. Established by Khan Zuwu.
40
遙輦氏九帳遙輦九可汗宮分。
Nine Tents of the Yaolian Clan: the palace households of the nine Yaolian khans.
41
北克、南克掌軍官名，猶漢南北軍之職。
Northern Ke and Southern Ke: military command titles, analogous to the Han Northern and Southern Armies.
42
祭鹿神遼俗好射鹿，每出獵，必祭其神以祈多獲。
Sacrifice to the Deer Spirit: the Khitan loved deer hunting and always sacrificed to the deer god before a hunt, praying for a plentiful catch.
43
林牙掌文翰官，時稱為學士。 其群牧所設，止管簿書。
Linya: an official in charge of documents, commonly called an Academician. Those attached to the Pasturage Offices handled records only.
44
瑟瑟禮祈雨射柳之儀，遙輦蘇可汗制。
Sese Rite: a rain-prayer ceremony involving willow-shooting, established by Yaolian Khan Su.
45
再生禮國俗，每十二年一次，行始生之禮，名曰再生。 惟帝與太后、太子及夷離得行之。 又名覆誕。
Rebirth Rite: a national custom performed every twelve years, a ceremony of symbolic rebirth called Rebirth. Only the emperor, empress dowager, crown prince, and yilij could perform the rite. It was also known as Covering Birth.
46
神速姑宗室人名，能知蛇語。
Shensu Gu: a member of the imperial clan who could interpret snake language.
47
蒲割奨下乃頂切。 公主名也。
Puge Jiang: the second character is pronounced with the nai initial and ding final. The name of a princess.
48
三克統軍官，猶雲三帥也。
San Ke: a military commander, equivalent to Three Commanders.
49
詳穩諸官府監治長官。
Xiangwen: the chief supervisory official of government offices.
50
梯裏已諸部下官也，後升司徒。
Tiliyi: a subordinate official; later elevated to Minister of Education.
51
達剌幹縣官也，後升副使。
Dala Gan: a county-level official, later promoted to Vice Commissioner.
52
麻都不縣官之佐也，後升為令。
Mabudu: deputy county official, later promoted to magistrate.
53
馬步未詳何官，以達剌幹升為之。
Mabu: an office of uncertain function, attained by promotion from dala gan.
54
牙署官名。 疑即牙書，石烈官也。
Yashu: an official title. Possibly yashu, an office of the shilie.
55
世燭遙輦帳侍中之官。
Shizhu: an attendant-in-waiting of the Yaolian tent.
56
敞史官府之佐吏也。
Changshi: a deputy clerk in a government office.
57
思奴古官與敞史相近。
Sinugu: an office similar to changshi.
58
徒睹古邊徼外小國。
Tudugu: a small state beyond the border.
59
世宗、穆宗紀
Annals of Emperors Shizong and Muzong
60
林上音帶。 地名，即松林故地。
Lin: the first character is pronounced dai. A place name: the former Pine Forest region.
61
閘撒抹裏司官，亦掌宮衛之禁者。
Zhasa: an official of the Moli Bureau, also responsible for palace security.
62
撻馬扈從之官。
Tama: an escort-attendant office.
63
濃兀每分名。
Nongwu: a division name.
64
葉格戲宋錢僖公家有葉子揭格之戲。
Yegexi: the Song official Qian Yi's household played the leaf-card game of the same name.
65
景宗、聖宗紀
Annals of Emperors Jingzong and Shengzong
66
飛龍使掌馬官，亦為導騎。
Feilong Shi: an official in charge of horses, also serving as a vanguard escort.
67
橫帳德祖族屬號三父房，稱橫帳，宗室之尤貴者。
Hengzhang: Dezu's clansmen formed the Three Father Houses, called Hengzhang — the most exalted branch of the imperial clan.
68
著帳凡世官之家及諸色人，因事籍沒者為著帳戶，官有著帳郎君。
Zhuzhang: hereditary official families and others whose property was confiscated became registered zhuzhang households, served by zhuzhang attendants.
69
杓印杓，鷙鳥總稱，以為印紐，取疾速之義。 凡調發軍馬則用之，與金魚符、銀牌略同。
Shao Seal: shao denotes fierce birds of prey; used as the seal knob to signify speed. It was used to mobilize troops, similar to the golden fish tally and silver plaque.
70
國舅帳克官制有大國舅帳，此則本帳下掌兵之官。
Guozhang Ke: the bureaucracy included a Great State Uncle Tent; this was its military commander.
71
拜奧禮凡納後，即族中選尊者一人當奧而坐，以主其禮，謂之奧姑。 送後者拜而致敬，故雲拜奧禮。
Bai'ao Li: when receiving a bride, the clan chose an elder to sit in the inner seat and preside — the Ao Gu. Those escorting the bride bowed in homage, hence the name Bai'ao Li.
72
拜山禮祀木葉山之儀。
Baishan Li: the sacrificial rite at Mount Muye.
73
敞穩諸帳下官。 亦作常袞，蓋字音相近也。
Changwen: an official under the various tents. Also written changgun — the characters are phonetically similar.
74
萬役陷河冶<二>地名。 本漢土垠縣，有銀礦。 太祖募民立寨以專采煉，故名陷河冶。
Wanyi Xianhe Ye<Note 2>: a place name. Originally the Han county of Tuyin, which contained silver mines. Taizu recruited settlers to establish a mining colony there, hence the name Sunken River Smeltery.
75
合蘇袞女直別部名，又作曷蘇館。
Hesugun: a Jurchen sub-tribe, also written Hesuguan.
76
執手禮將帥有克敵功，上親執手慰勞； 若將在軍，則遣人代行執手禮。 優遇之意。
Hand-Clasp Rite: when a general defeated the enemy, the emperor clasped his hand in person; if the general was still at the front, an envoy performed the rite on the emperor's behalf. It expressed the emperor's special favor.
77
阿劄割只官名。 位在樞密使下，蓋墩官也。
Azagezhi: an official title. Its rank fell below the Commissioner of Military Affairs; it was essentially a dun-rank office.
78
四捷軍遼以宋降者分立二部：一曰四捷軍，一曰歸聖軍。
Four Victory Army: surrendered Song troops were divided into two corps — the Four Victory Army and the Return-to-Sagacity Army.
79
山金司以陰山產金，置冶采煉，故以名司； 後改統軍司。
Shanjin Si: gold was mined in the Yin Mountains and smelted there, giving the bureau its name; later renamed the Military Command Bureau.
80
興宗紀
Annals of Emperor Xingzong
81
別輦鬥地名。
Bielian Dou: a place name.
82
虎挱下北潘切。 婆離八部人名。
Huxia: the second character is pronounced with the bei initial and pan final. A personal name among the Boliba Eight Divisions.
83
解洗禮解裝前祓，飲至之義。
Jiexi Li: a purification rite before doffing armor, equivalent to a victory libation.
84
獨盧金地名。 六院官屬秋冬居之。
Dulujin: a place name. Officials of the Six Courts wintered there.
85
行十二神禮神解見前。 凡大祭祀、大朝會，以十二列諸御前。
Performing the Twelve Spirits Rite — see the explanation above. At major sacrifices and court assemblies, the twelve spirits were arrayed before the throne.
86
南撒葛柏地名。
Nansage Bo: a place name.
87
合只忽裏地名。
Hezhihuli: a place name.
88
拖古烈地名。
Tuogulie: a place name.
89
曷裏地名。
Heli: a place name.
90
道宗紀
Annals of Emperor Daozong
91
塔里舍地名。
Talise: a place name.
92
撒裏乃地名。
Salinai: a place name.
93
三班院祗候左、右班並寄班為三班。 祗候，官名。
Sanban Yuan Zhihou: the Left Banner, Right Banner, and Attached Banner formed three banners. Zhihou: an official title.
94
高墩遼排班圖，有高墩、矮墩、方墩之列。 自大丞相至阿劄割只，皆墩官也。
Gao Dun: the Liao seating chart distinguished High Dun, Short Dun, and Square Dun rows. From the Grand Chancellor to Azagezhi, all held dun-rank offices.
95
天祚紀
Annals of Emperor Tianzuo
96
候裏吉地名。
Houliji: a place name.
97
頭魚宴上歲時鉤魚，得頭魚，輒置酒張宴，與頭鵝宴同。
First-Fish Banquet: at the annual ice-fishing, when the first fish was caught, a feast was held — like the First-Goose Banquet.
98
訛莎烈地名。
Eshalie: a place name.
99
漚裏謹地名。
Oulijin: a place name.
100
歡撻新查剌地名。
Huantaxin Chala: a place name.
101
射糧軍射，請也。
Sheliang Army: she means to invite or request.
102
女古底地名。
Nvgudi: a place name.
103
落昆髓地名。
Luokunsui: a place name.
104
阿裏軫鬥地名。
Alizhendou: a place name.
105
忽兒珊西域大軍將名。 <三>
Hu'ershan: the name of a great general of the Western Regions. <Note 3>
106
起兒漫地名。
Qi'erman: a place name.
107
虎思斡魯朵思亦作斯，有力稱。 斡魯朵，宮帳名。
Husi Oruduo: si may also be written si; a title meaning 'powerful.' Oruduo: the name of a palace tent.
108
葛兒罕漠北君王稱。
Ge'erhan: a title for rulers of the northern steppe.
109
祭東國俗，凡祭皆東向，故曰祭東。
Treatise on Rites
110
敵烈麻都掌禮官。
Sacrifice to the East: by national custom all sacrifices face east, hence the name.
111
旗鼓拽剌拽剌，官名。 軍制有拽剌司； 此則掌旗鼓者也。
Dilie Madu: an official in charge of ceremonial affairs. Qi Guo Zhua La: zhua la is an official title. The army had a Zhua La Bureau;
112
節歲時雜禮名。
this office managed flags and drums.
113
九奚首奚首，營帳名。
Jie: a term for seasonal festival rites.
114
食之次大行殯出，群臣以羊祭于路，名曰食之次。
Jiu Xi Shou: xi shou is the name of a camp tent.
115
挻祭上於琰切。 凡出征，以牝牡各一祭之曰挻，詛敵也。
Feeding at the Stop: when the emperor's coffin was carried out, ministers sacrificed sheep along the route — the Rite of Feeding at the Stop. Yan Ji: the first character is pronounced with the yu initial and yan final.
116
勘箭車駕遠歸，闔門使持雄箭，勘箭官持雌箭，比較相合，而後入宮。
Before every campaign, a male and female animal were sacrificed in a rite called yan, to curse the enemy.
117
簷床一人肩任曰簷，兩人以手共舁曰床。
Arrow Verification: when the emperor returned from a distant journey, the Gate Commissioner held the male arrow and the Verification Officer the female arrow; they had to match before entry to the palace.
118
攢隊士卒攢簇，各為隊伍。
Yan and Chuang: one person bearing a load on the shoulder is yan; two people lifting together is chuang.
119
方、朵殿凡禦宴，官卑，地坐殿中方墩之上； 其不應升殿，則賜坐左右朵殿。
Zuan Dui: soldiers gathered in clusters, each forming a unit. Square Dun and Side Halls: at imperial banquets, low-ranking officials sat on square dun in the hall;
120
地拍田鼠名。 正旦日，上於俼間擲米團，得只數為不利，則燒地拍鼠以禳之。
those not entitled to enter the hall were seated in the side halls to left and right. Dipai: a field mouse.
121
乃捏咿正月朔旦也。
On New Year's Day the emperor tossed rice balls in the tent; an odd count was inauspicious, and field mice were burned to dispel the ill omen.
122
挾裏坈挾讀作狎，坈讀作頗。 二月一日也。 六月十八日宴國舅族，亦曰挾裏坈。
Nainiyi: New Year's Day, the first day of the first month. Xieli Kai: xie is pronounced xia; kai is pronounced po. The second day of the second month.
123
陶裏樺上巳日，射兔之節名。
On the eighteenth of the sixth month a banquet was held for the state-uncle clan — also called Xieli Kai.
124
討賽咿重午日也。
Taoli Hua: on the Double Third Festival, the name of the rabbit-shooting rite.
125
賽伊奢日辰之好也。
Tao Saiyi: the Double Fifth Festival.
126
捏褐耐犬首也。 <五>
Saiyi She: an auspicious day and hour. Niehe Nai: dog's head.<Note 5>
127
必裏遲離重九日也。
Bilichi Li: the Double Ninth Festival.
128
戴辣燒甲也。
Daila: burning armor.
129
炒伍坈戰名也。
Chaowu Kai: the name of a battle.
130
卓帳卓，立也。 帳，氈廬也。
Zhuo Zhang: zhuo means to stand; zhang means a felt tent or yurt.
131
百官志
Treatise on Officials
132
石烈辛袞石烈官之長。
Shilie Xingun: chief of the shilie office.
133
令穩官名。
Lingwen: an official title.
134
弭裏馬特本官名，後升辛袞。
Mili Mateben: an official title, later promoted to xingun.
135
麻普即麻都不，縣官之副也，初名達剌幹。
Mapu: equivalent to mabudu, deputy county official; originally called dala gan.
136
知聖旨頭子事掌誥命奏事官。
Director of Edict Memorials: an official who managed imperial edicts and memorials.
137
提轄司諸宮典兵官。
Tixia Si: the military administration office of the various palaces.
138
皮室昉軍制，有南、北、左、右皮室及黃皮室，皆掌精兵。
Pishi Fang: the army included Southern, Northern, Left, Right, and Yellow Pishi units, all commanding elite forces.
139
廳房即工部。
Ting Fang: equivalent to the Ministry of Works.
140
梅裏貴戚官名。 述律皇后族有慎思梅裏、婆姑梅裏，未詳何職。
Meili: an official title held by imperial relatives. Empress Shulü's clan included Shensi Meili and Pogu Meili — their functions are unknown.
141
抹鶻瓦裏司之官。
Mogu: an official of the Wali Bureau.
142
先離撻覽奚、渤海等國官名，疑即撻林字訛。
Xianli Talang: an office of the Xi and Bohai states, possibly a corruption of talin.
143
營衛志
Treatise on Camp Guards
144
象吻黃帝治宮室，陶蚩尤象置棟上，名曰蚩吻。
Xiangwen: when the Yellow Emperor built palaces, he cast Chiyou's image and set it on the roof ridge — called Chiwen.
145
瓦裏官府名，宮帳、部族皆設之。 凡宗室、外戚、大臣犯罪者，家屬沒入於此。 <六>
Wali: a government bureau; every palace tent and tribe maintained one. When imperial clansmen, consort kin, or high ministers were convicted, their families were confiscated and registered here. <Note 6>
146
抹裏官府名。 閘撒亦抹裏官之一。
Moli: a government bureau. Zhasa: also an office under the moli bureau.
147
算斡魯朵算，腹心拽剌也。 斡魯朵，宮也。 已下國阿輦至監母，皆斡魯朵名； 其注語，則始置之義也。
Suan Oruduo: suan means a trusted inner attendant. Oruduo: a palace tent. Below, from Guo Alian to Jianmu, all are oruduo names; their glosses give the meaning assigned at their founding.
148
國阿輦收國也。
Guo Alian: 'receiving the state.'
149
奪裏本討平也。
Duolibe: 'pacifying and settling.'
150
耶魯碗興旺也。
Yeluban: 'flourishing.'
151
蒲速碗義與耶魯碗同。
Pusuban: same meaning as Yeluban.
152
女古金也。
Nvgu: 'gold.'
153
孤穩玉也。
Guwen: 'jade.'
154
窩篤碗孳息也。 <七>
Woduban: 'increase and multiply.' <Note 7>
155
阿斯寬大也。 <八>
Asi: 'broad and generous.' <Note 8>
156
阿魯碗<九>輔佑也。
Aluban<Note 9>: 'assisting and supporting.'
157
得失得本<一○>孝也。
Desideben<Note 10>: 'filial piety.'
158
監母遺留也。
Jianmu: 'left behind.'
159
地理志
Treatise on Geography
160
屬珊應天皇後從太祖征討，所俘人戶有技藝者置之帳下，<一一>名屬珊，蓋比珊瑚之寶。
Shushan: Empress Yingtian followed Taizu on campaign; skilled captives were placed in her tent,<Note 11> named Shushan — like the treasure of coral.
161
永州其地居潢河、土河二水之間，故名永州，蓋以字從二、從水也。
Yong Prefecture: situated between the Huang and Tu Rivers, hence the name — the character combines 'two' and 'water.'
162
頡上慕各切，下胡結切。 渤海郡府名。
Xie: the first character uses the mu ge cut; the second the hu jie cut. A Bohai commandery and prefecture name.
163
且慮皆平聲。 興中府縣名。
Qielü: both characters in level tone. A county of Xingzhong Prefecture.
164
養上音奚。 幽州澤藪名，見周職方。
Yang: the first character is pronounced xi. A marsh of Youzhou; see the Zhou Officer of Regions.
165
、時幽州浸名，出同上。
Shi: a Youzhou wetland, from the same source.
166
墮瑰門名，遼有墮瑰部。
Duogui: a gate name; the Liao had a Duogui tribe.
167
野旅寅野謂星野，旅謂躔次； 寅者，辰舍。 東北之位，燕分析津之所也。
Ye Lü Yin: ye denotes the astral domain, lü the zodiac position; yin is the celestial lodge of the branch. The northeast — where Yan marks the crossing of the Ji River.
168
儀衛志
Treatise on Rites and Guard
169
金徳下祖叢切。 馬首飾也。
Jinde: the second character uses the zu cong cut. A horse-head ornament.
170
果下馬馬名。 謂果樹下可乘行者，言其小也。
Guo Xia Ma: a breed of horse. Horses small enough to ride beneath fruit trees — meaning they are diminutive.
171
實裏薛袞祭服之冠，行拜山禮則服之。
Shili Xuegun: the ceremonial crown worn for the Mount Muye sacrifice.
172
楎帶上他協切，下徒協切。 武官束帶也。
Hui: upper ta xie cut, lower tu xie cut. The belt worn by military officials.
173
擀腰即拄腰，以鵝項、鴨頭為之。
Ganyao: equivalent to zhuyao, fashioned from goose neck and duck head.
174
胡木鍪胄名。
Humu Mou: a type of helmet.
175
挿馬上音誕。 馬不施鞍轡曰挿。
Cha: the first character is pronounced dan. A horse ridden without saddle or bridle is called cha.
176
白音餌。 以白鷺羽為網，又也。
Bai: pronounced er. A net of white egret feathers; also .
177
兵衛志
Treatise on Military Guard
178
捉馬刷馬也。
Zhuo Ma: grooming or currying horses.
179
欄子軍居先鋒前二十餘裏，偵候敵人動靜。
Lanzi Army: posted twenty-odd li ahead of the vanguard to reconnoiter enemy movements.
180
弓子鋪遼軍馬頓舍，不設營塹，折木稍為弓，以為團集之所。 又諸國使來，道旁簽置木稍弓，以充欄。
Gongzi Pu: Liao troops on the march did not dig entrenchments; they bent saplings into bow-shapes as rally points. When foreign envoys arrived, bow-shaped poles were placed along the road as barriers.
181
食貨志
Treatise on Food and Goods
182
雲為戶<一二>義即營運，字之訛。
Yun Wei Hu<Note 12>: meaning transport and operation; a textual corruption.
183
刑法志
Treatise on Penal Law
184
鐘院有冤者擊鐘，以達於上，猶怨鼓雲。
Bell Court: the wronged could strike a bell to reach the emperor — like the grievance drum.
185
楚古官名。 掌北面訊囚者。 <一三>
Chugu: an official title. Responsible for interrogating prisoners in the northern bureau. <Note 13>
186
皇子表
Tables
187
五石烈即五院。 非是分院為五，以五石烈為一院也。
Five Shilie: that is, the Five Courts. The court was not divided into five parts; five shilie constituted one court.
188
六爪爪，百數也。 遼有六百家奚，後為六院，<一四>義與五院同。 二院，即迭剌部析之為二者是也。
Liu Zhua: zhua means one hundred. The Liao had six hundred Xi households, later organized as six courts,<Note 14> on the same principle as the Five Courts. Two Courts: the Diela tribe divided into two.
189
裂崵皮崵，牡鹿。 力能分牡鹿皮。
Lie Yang Pi: yang means a male deer. Strong enough to tear apart a male deer's hide.
190
莫弗紇諸部酋長稱，又雲莫弗賀。
Mofu He: a title for tribal chiefs; also rendered Mofu He.
191
蠕蠕而宣切。 國名。
Ruru: er xuan cut. The name of a state.
192
俟斤突厥官名。
Houjin: a Turkic official title.
193
遊幸表
Table of Imperial Progress
194
舔咸鹿<一五>鹿性嗜鹹，灑鹼於地以誘鹿，射之。
Licking-Salt Deer<Note 15>: deer crave salt; salt was scattered to lure them, then they were hunted.
195
女瑰<一六>虞人名。
Nvgui<Note 16>: the name of a gamekeeper.
196
可敦突厥皇后之稱。
Kedun: the Turkic title for an empress.
197
忒裏蹇遼皇后之稱。
Teili Jian: the Liao title for empress.
198
耨斡麼麼，亦作改。 耨斡，後土稱。 麼，母稱。
Nouwo Mo: mo is also written gai. Nouwo: a title for the earth goddess. Mo: a maternal honorific.
199
乙室、撥裏國舅帳二族名。
Yishi and Bolí: two clans of the State Uncle Tent.
200
諸功臣傳
Biographies of Meritorious Ministers
201
龍錫金佩太祖從兄鐸骨劄以本帳下蛇鳴，命知蛇語者神速姑解之，知蛇謂穴傍樹中有金，往取之，果得金，<一七>以為帶，名「龍錫金」。
Dragon-Tin Gold Belt: Taizu's cousin Duoguzha heard a snake cry under his tent and summoned Shensu Gu, who understood snake speech; the snake said gold lay in a tree by its burrow; they retrieved it and fashioned a belt called 'Dragon-Tin Gold.'<Note 17>
202
撒剌酒樽名。
Sala: the name of a wine vessel.
203
遙輦糾遙輦帳下軍也。 其書永興宮分糾、十二行糾、黃皮室糾者，仿此。
Yaolian Jiu: a military unit of the Yaolian tent. Units such as Yongxing Palace Division Jiu, Twelve Rows Jiu, and Yellow Pishi Jiu follow the same pattern.
204
吐裏官名。 與奚六部禿裏同。 吐、禿字訛。
Tuli: an official title. Same as the Tuli of the Xi Six Divisions. Tu and tu represent corrupted characters.
205
寢殿小底官名。 遼制多小底官，餘不注。
Qindian Xiaodi: an official title. The Liao had many xiaodi offices; the remainder are not annotated.
206
雜丁黃禮，男幼為黃，四歲為小，十六為中，二十一為丁。 軍中雜幼弱，以疑敵也。
Za Ding Huang: a ritual classification — boys in infancy are huang; at four, xiao; at sixteen, zhong; at twenty-one, ding. In battle, the young and weak were mixed in to deceive the enemy.
207
遙輦克遙輦帳下掌兵官。
Yaolian Ke: a military commander of the Yaolian tent.
208
柢宮衛門外行馬也。 <一八>
Di: horses exercised outside the palace guard gate. <Note 18>
209
犀千歲蛇角，又為篤訥犀。
Xi: the horn of a thousand-year-old snake; also called Dunuo Xi.
210
珠二下蒲味切。 珠五百枚為。
Zhu Er: the second character uses the pu wei cut. Five hundred pearls make one unit.
211
題裏司徒題裏，官府名。
Tili Situ: tili is a bureau name.
212
中上陟栗切。 地名。
Zhong: the first character uses the zhi li cut. A place name.
213
堂印茅之采名。
Tang Yin: the name of a thatch-gathering.
214
臨庫以帛為通曆，具一庫之物，盡數籍之，曰臨庫。
Lin Ku: a silk register inventory listing every item in a warehouse — called 'facing the storehouse.'
215
堂帖遼制，宰相凡除拜，行頭子堂帖權差，俟再取旨，<一九>出給告敕。 故官有知頭子事。 見陰山雜錄。
Tang Tie: under Liao practice, when a chancellor was appointed or removed, a provisional tang tie with touzi authorization was issued; upon further imperial approval,<Note 19> a formal edict followed. Hence the office of Director of Touzi Affairs. See the Miscellaneous Records of the Yin Mountains.
216
夷離畫者畫者人名，為夷離官。
Yili Huazhe: Huazhe is a personal name; he held the yili office.
217
虎斯有力稱。 紀言「虎思」，義同。
Husi: a title meaning 'powerful.' The annals write 'Husi' — the meaning is identical.
218
校勘記
Collation Notes
219
一∶鷹鷙鳥以之名軍取捷速之義後記龍軍虎軍鐵鷂軍者仿此鳥字原脫。 記，原誤「托」。 據上下文義補正。
Note 1: Eagle, fierce bird, using it to name an army for swiftness; later Dragon Army, Tiger Army, and Iron Harrier Army follow this — the character for 'bird' was originally omitted. Ji was originally miswritten as 'tuo.' Corrected according to the surrounding context.
220
二∶萬役陷河冶按萬為人名，見紀開泰元年七月。 下文只釋陷河冶，「萬役」二字當刪。
Note 2: Wanyi Xianhe Ye — Wan is a personal name, recorded in the seventh month of Kaitai year 1. The gloss below explains only Xianhe Ye; the characters 'Wanyi' should be deleted.
221
三∶西域大軍將名據紀保大五年後附耶律大石紀事，應作「西域大軍名」，「將」字衍。
Note 3: Western Region great army general — according to the appended annals of Yelü Dashi after Baoda year 5, it should read 'Western Region great army name'; 'general' is redundant.
222
四∶禮志志字原脫，依史文例補。
Note 4: Rites Treatise — the character zhi was originally missing; added per the history's usage.
223
五∶捏褐耐犬首也犬，原誤「大」。 據禮志六及國志二七改。
Note 5: Niehe Nai, dog's head — quan was originally miswritten as da. Corrected per Rites Treatise 6 and State Treatise 27.
224
六∶宮帳部族皆設之凡宗室外戚大臣犯罪者家屬沒入於此族字原脫。 宗，原誤「宮」。 據大典五二五二及百官志一補正。
Note 6: Palace tents and tribes all maintained it; when imperial clansmen, consort kin, or ministers were convicted, families were confiscated — zu was originally omitted. Zong was originally miswritten as gong. Corrected per Great Compendium 5252 and Officials Treatise 1.
225
七∶孳息也孳，原誤「慈」。 據營衛志上改。
Note 7: Increase and multiply — zi was originally miswritten as ci. Corrected per Camp Guard Treatise, Upper.
226
八∶寬大也寬，原誤「實」。 據營衛志上改。
Note 8: Broad and generous — kuan was originally miswritten as shi. Corrected per Camp Guard Treatise, Upper.
227
九∶阿魯碗阿，原誤「何」。 據營衛志上改。
Note 9: Aluban — a was originally miswritten as he. Corrected per Camp Guard Treatise, Upper.
228
一○∶得失得本營衛志上，作赤得本。
Note 10: Desideben — Camp Guard Treatise, Upper, reads Chideben.
229
一一∶有技藝者置之帳下「有技藝者置」五字原缺，據陳士元諸史夷語音義卷三補。 置，大典五二五二作「隸」。
Note 11: skilled persons placed under tent — the five characters were originally missing; supplied from Chen Shiyuan's Various Histories Barbarian Language Meanings, juan 3. Zhi, in Great Compendium 5252 reads li.
230
一二∶雲為戶戶，原誤「所」。 據大典五二五二及食貨志上改。
Note 12: Yun Wei Hu — hu was originally miswritten as suo. Corrected per Great Compendium 5252 and Food and Goods Treatise, Upper.
231
一三∶掌北面訊囚者訊，原誤「詔」。 據大典五二五二改。
Note 13: Interrogating prisoners on the northern side — xun was originally miswritten as zhao. Corrected per Great Compendium 5252.
232
一四∶後為六院六字原脫，據大典五二五二補。
Note 14: later became six courts — liu was originally missing; supplied from Great Compendium 5252.
233
一五∶舔咸鹿舔，本書亦作舐； 鹹，本書亦作鹼。 字通。
Note 15: Tian Xian Lu — tian is also written shi in this book; xian is also written jian. The characters are interchangeable variants.
234
一六∶女瑰瑰，原誤「鑲」。 據大典五二五二及紀應曆十四年八月、十八年九月改。
Note 16: Nvgui — gui was originally miswritten as xiang. Corrected per Great Compendium 5252 and annals, Yingli 14.8 and 18.9.
235
一七∶穴傍樹中有金往取之果得金「樹中有金往取之果」八字原缺，據大典五二五二補。
Note 17: beside the hole a tree held gold, going to take it gold was indeed found — the eight characters were originally missing; supplied from Great Compendium 5252.
236
一八∶柢宮衛門外行馬也柢，周禮天官掌舍作，注雲：「，謂行馬。」
Note 18: Di, horses outside the palace gate — di, in the Zhou Rites Office of Quarters written , annotated: ' , called walking horse.'
237
一九∶俟再取旨旨，原誤「二日」。 據營衛志中改。
Note 19: awaiting further instruction — zhi was originally miswritten as 'two days.' Corrected per Camp Guard Treatise, Middle.