中国古代世系学研究

Studies on Genealogy of Ancient China

中国古代世系学有两大类型 :大宗世系学和小宗世系学。在以小宗世系学和小宗谱法为主流的宋代 ,曾经出现由小宗谱法向大宗谱法的某些传统和原则回归的倾向 ,这是一种意义重大的超越 :既超越了宗族的实体性 ,体现了历史性 ;又超越了实体的宗族性 ,体现了地缘性。就原则和逻辑而言 ,宗族关系的泛化和虚拟化 ,是历史发展的合理结果。

Genealogy in ancient China took two forms: one focused on the earliest ancestor and the first wifes first son and another focused on relatives within the most recent five generations. During the Song dynasty when the predominant form traced relatives within the recent five generations, there was a trend to return to traditions and principles of the form which traced the earliest ancestor all the way down to the newest generation. This was of great significance for it transcended individual clans and revealed historical continuity and geographical changes. The generalization and virtualization of clan relations were a rational outcome of historical development.