From Taso to Erke’ün: The Transformation of East Syriac Christian Designations in China (Tang to Yuan Periods)

The historical evolution of two designations for East Syriac Christians in China—taso (達娑, including its variants) and erke’ün (也里可溫)—from the Tang to the Yuan dynasty is examined. Analyses of historical records and Old Uighur Christian manuscripts reveal their usage patterns, referents, and historical development. Taso and its variants served as both self-referential and externally applied designations from West Asia to East Asia before and during the early Mongol–Yuan period. Erke’ün, initially an official title for East Syriac Church leaders under Mongol–Yuan rule, replaced Taso and expanded to denote Christians in general. This terminological shift reflects significant transformations in the community’s identity and institutional standing within China. The findings offer new perspectives on the transmission and adaptation of East Syriac Christianity in the Chinese context.