再论数字7在蒙元时代的呈现及其象征意义

Reanalysis on the Culture Implications of the Typified Numbers with 7 in the Mongolian and Yuan Times

数字7及7的倍数或末尾整数位为7的数字,在蒙元时代的东西方文献中,十分显眼。然而,学界迄今对此缺乏切实讨论。该类数字实际上具有象征意义。通过清理7、70以及17等数字可发现,在以《蒙古秘史》为代表的史料和伊利汗国的史料中,该类数字多具"虚"的象征意义;在元王朝相关的史料中,则多具"实"的意义。需作进一步区分的是,元代用于记录当日政治和社会生活中诸多现实事项时,该类数字"实"指意义明显;而在其他场合使用到该类数字时,则多呈现出模式化现象,其"虚"指意义较重。在阅读蒙元时代文献中若遇该类数字,大可不必拘泥于其"实"指意义,而更当留心其"虚"指意义。

The number 7 and the typified numbers with 7(7 as a multiple or mantissa)are particularly prominent in the Eastern and Western literatures during the Mongolian and Yuan Times.However,there is no practical discussion on this issue.These typified numbers actually have a symbolic meaning.By sorting out the numbers 7,70 and 17,we can find that in the historical materials such as Secret History of the Mongols and the historical materials of the Il-khanate,these typified numbers mostly present the symbolic meaning of"virtual",while in the historical records of the Yuan Dynasty,there are more"real"meanings.When the Yuan Dynasty records many practical matters of the political and social life on that day,the"real"meaning of this kind of number is obvious;when this kind of number is used on other occasions,it usually presents a patternized phenomenon,and its"virtual"meaning is more important.If such numbers are encountered in the literatures of the Mongolian and Yuan Times,we should not stick to the"real"meaning,should pay more attention to the"virtual"meaning.