Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of terms, concepts, and vocabulary from Ken Liu's Dandelion Dynasty series. This collection includes Daran, Lyucu, and Agon terminology, organized by culture.

Dara

-Tika
suffix expressing endearment toward younger family members
Anojiti
a neologism formed from Classical Ano roots to describe the people of Dara, created in response to the Lyucu invasion
Cashima
a scholar who has passed the second level of the Imperial examinations. The Classical Ano word means "practitioner." A cashima is allowed to wear his or her hair in a triple scroll-bun and carry a sword. Cashima can also serve as clerks for magistrates and mayors
Cruben
a scaled whale with a single horn protruding from its head; symbol of imperial power
Cüpa
a game played with black and white stones on a grid
Dyran
a flying fish, symbol of femininity and sign of good fortune. It is covered by rainbow-colored scales and has a sharp beak
Firoa
a cashima who places within the top one hundred in the Grand Examination is given this rank. The Classical Ano word means "a (good) match." Based on their talents, the firoa are either given positions in Imperial administration, assigned to work for various enfeoffed nobles, or promoted to engage in further study or research with the Imperial Academy
Géüpa
an informal sitting position where the legs are crossed and folded under the body, with each foot tucked under the opposite thigh
Jiri
a woman's bow where the hands are crossed in front of the chest in a gesture of respect
Kunikin
a large, three-legged drinking vessel
Mingén falcon
a species of extraordinarily large falcon native to the island of Rui
Mipa rari
a formal kneeling position where the back is kept straight and weight is evenly distributed between the knees and toes
Mutagé
variously translated as "faith-mercy" or "loyalty-benefaction," one of the most important virtues to the ancient Ano. It refers to a dedication to the welfare of the people as a whole, one that transcends self interest or concern for family and clan
Ogé
drops of sweat
Pana méji
a scholar who has done especially well in the Grand Examination and is given the chance to participate in the Palace Examination, where the emperor himself assesses the qualities of the candidates and assigns them a rank. The Classical Ano phrase means "on the list."
Pawi
animal aspects of the gods of Dara
Raye
descendants of prisoners of war, the lowest social caste in the days of the Tiro states
Rénga
honorific used to address the emperor
Thakrido
an extremely informal sitting position where one's legs are stretched out in front; used only with intimates or social inferiors
Thasé-teki
literally "winter worm, summer grass," a hybrid organism consisting of a fungus and a particular species of underground caterpillar that the fungus infects. The mycelia slowly spread throughout the body of the caterpillar, eventually killing it to sprout aboveground in a grass-like stroma. Called "caterpillar grass" in the vernacular, it has many uses in herbal medicine
Toko dawiji
a scholar who has passed the first level of the Imperial examinations. The Classical Ano phrase means "the elevated." A toko dawiji is allowed to wear his or her hair in a double scroll-bun
Tunoa
grapes
Zamaki
a game of war between opposing armies composed of tokens representing pieces such as the king, consort, ship, advisor, assassin, horse, kite, and so on

Lyucu/Agon

Arucuro sana
literally "talking bones"; logograms constructed from animal parts using principles derived from arucuro tocua as well as Classical Ano
Arucuro tocua
literally "living bones"; articulated creations made from bones, sinew, horn, antler, and other animal parts
Garinafin
the flying, fire-breathing beast that is the core of Lyucu culture. Its body is about the size of three elephants, with a long tail, two clawed feet, a pair of great, leathery wings, and a slender, snakelike neck topped with a deerlike, antlered head
Kyoffir
an alcoholic drink made from fermented garinafin milk
Pédiato savaga
literally "stomach journey," the scrublands funeral practice of leaving a body exposed to the elements and scavenging animals
Pékyu
title given to the leader of the Lyucu or Agon
Pékyu-taasa
title given to the children of pékyus; sometimes translated into Dara as "prince" or "princess."
Tanto-lyu-naro
tribeless wanderers of Ukyu-Gondé who do not follow the ways of either the Lyucu or the Agon and who renounce all warmaking. Literally "warriors who do not make war."
Togaten
literally "runt"; a slur used against those of mixed Lyucu and native Dara ancestry
Tolyusa
a plant with hallucinogenic properties; the berries are essential for the garinafins to breed successfully
Votan-ru-taasa
"older-and-younger"; brothers
Votan-sa-taasa
"older-and-younger"; sisters (or siblings)