阴阳鱼太极图:阐释中国古代礼刑关系的新视角

On Tai Ji Diagram: A New Perspective to Explain the Relation Between Chinese Ancient “Li” and Criminal Law

中国古代法一直深受阴阳思想的影响,太极图是阴阳思想和太极思维的直观表现,因而以阴阳鱼太极图为视角对古代礼刑关系进行创新阐释极具合理性.阴阳鱼太极图由黑白两色的鱼形相互缠绕而成,呈现出两者之间相互依存并相互斗争的关系.“阴阳二极,一静一动”,把礼比作阳极,把刑比作阴极,并结合太极“阴中有阳,阳中有阴”的特点,阐释“刑中有礼,礼中有刑”这一关系.以阴阳鱼太极理论阐释影响中国古代法变化的各种因素:在构图上,左边的阳鱼呈上浮趋势,右边的阴鱼呈下沉趋势,根据这一位置特点,阐释“礼不下庶人,刑不上大夫”这一礼刑阴阳关系变化的典型例证.中国古代礼刑关系是中国古代法律最重要的部分,而作为阐释礼刑关系的新视角,太极图具有独特的中国古代法文化特色.

This paper will explain the ancient "Li"and criminal law by using the tool of Tai Ji in a new way,for Tai Ji diagram,ancient"Li"and criminal law all have the dialectical philosophy and harmonious cultural background. Tai Ji diagram is shaped by a black-and-white fish intertwined which shows an interdependent struggle with one the other. In the case of"Yin and Yang with one quiet and one moving","Li"can be compared to the anode,while the criminal law to the cathode,so this paper interprets the relation of criminal law with"Li"and"Li"with criminal law. Apart from that,this paper will explain all the elements concerning the changes of the ancient Chinese laws in terms of Tai Ji. In the diagram,the left Yang fish is on the rise,while the right Yin fish is in the downward trend,which can explain the typical examples that "Li is not extended to the common people,while the criminal law is not for the nobles". The Yin and Yang relation is the most important part of Chinese ancient law,and as a new view of the relation between "Li"and the criminal law,Tai Ji has unique characteristics of Chinese ancient law culture.