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 Kublai Khan’s beliefs/traditions

            The Yuan Dynasty was founded by the Mongolian leader Kublai Khan who ruled most of present-day China. However, Kublai Khan was not a typical Mongolian leader; he valued Chinese culture and encouraged his people to learn traditions/culture as well. Along with adapting to Chinese, Khan also dressed for the part, he wore Chinese robes for special occasions, such as the Confucian rituals and performances of music and dance that he sponsored. Many Scholars were employed by Khan to translate old Chinese classics/history into the present day Mongolian language. Kublai Khan admired Confucius, and allowed Confucianism to stay as the foundation of Chinese society.

             Khan saw to it that the ancient ancestral tablets were made for his Mongolian ancestors near his palace grounds, so he made it of importance to follow the ancient religion of the steppes. For this religion Khan also followed a few rituals to show his respect. Some rituals that were required was that he perform the scattering mares milk, while bowing to the sky as he yelled out names of his past ancestors. He thought that this was said to bring good luck for the upcoming year.