ancient northern nomadic tribe
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
Xianyun (ancient nomadic tribe in northern China, precursor to the Xiongnu)
Historical term referring to a nomadic people who lived in northern China during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Often mentioned in classical texts as raiders or enemies of the Huaxia states. Also known as the Xunyu or Xianyu.
Zhōu周
cháo朝
shí时
qí期
，
xiǎn猃
yǔn狁
jīng经
cháng常
qīn侵
rǎo扰
zhōng中
yuán原
biān边
jìng境
。
During the Zhou Dynasty, the Xianyun frequently raided the borders of the Central Plains.
《
Shī诗
jīng经
》
zhōng中
yǒu有
miáo描
xiě写
kàng抗
jī击
xiǎn猃
yǔn狁
de的
piān篇
zhāng章
。
The Book of Songs contains chapters describing the resistance against the Xianyun.
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Lì
shǐH
xuéi
jiās
rènt
wéio
xiǎnr
yǔni
shìa
xiōngn
nús
de
xiānb
zǔe
l
i
e
v
e
t
h
e
猃
狁
w
e
r
e
a
n
c
e
s
t
o
r
s
o
f
t
h
e
X
i
o
n
g
n
u
.
Historians believe the Xianyun were ancestors of the Xiongnu.