Börte

Börte Üdschin ( Mong Бөртэ Үжин / ᠪ ᠥ ᠷ ᠲ ᠡ; mostly just Börte, also braid or Burtai ) was the principal wife of the Mongol leader Genghis Khan and mother of four sons Jochi, Chagatai, Ögedei and Tolui, and five daughters. She was a year older than her husband.

Life

As the daughter of the tribal leader of the Unggirat it was in the old Mongolian tradition with the already engaged the age of ten one years younger Temujin and later Genghis Khan. Because of his father's murder Temujin had to leave but first in their tribe. Later Börte was kidnapped by Merkits Temujin and they had to free with the help of Togrul and Jamukha Gurkhan. Because Börtes first son Jochi was born shortly after their liberation, came to doubt about who had been his father. Temujin recognized Jochi as his first-born but later on.

Genghis Khan estimated Börte as his main wife very high and often sought her advice, as well as that of his mother. Börte was even after his death still revered by the Mongols and crowned ruler. Moreover, there are few reliable historical facts about it, but on the other hand it is the subject of many Mongolian legends.

In portrayals, she is shown as a beautiful woman in a white silk robe, with gold coins as hair accessories. She rides it mostly on a white horse and holding a white lamb in his hand.