Ötüken: Ancient Capital of Xiongnu, Rouran and Göktürks

Located somewhere in modern-day Mongolia, this forest-capital served as the base of imperial legitimation and political power. In a mythological sense, it was said that the Kut emanated from this place: a mysterious force that flows through everything, binding us and surrounding us while not being felt by most living creatures. Those who ruled over Ötüken, however, would receive Kut and thus special traits and capabilities. That is why the rulers of the Tengrist empires of Central and East Asia were titled "Kutlu", those with the Kut. It basically meant "the blessed one". Blessed by Tengri.