Cathay is
a historical, literary, and archaic name for China, particularly Northern China, frequently used in medieval Europe. Originating from "Khitay" or the Khitan people who ruled northern China (936–1122), it was popularized by explorers like Marco Polo and often evokes a sense of a remote, exotic, or romanticized land. Key aspects of the name Cathay include:
- Language: Kitai is still the Russian word for China.
- Origin: The term derives from the Khitans (a nomadic people), was adopted by Mongols as Kitai, and brought to Europe by travelers.
- Usage: It was used from the Middle Ages through the 19th century to describe China.
- Modern Context: It is rarely used to describe the country today, but it remains known through the airline Cathay Pacific (derived from the archaic name + Pacific Ocean) and in fantasy contexts, such as the Warhammer Fantasy universe.
- Literature:
The word is famously used in the title of Ezra Pound's 1915 poetry collectionCathay.
