西周天帝信仰的特点

The Religious Features of Tian Di in Western Zhou

西周时期天、帝已经合二为一,难分彼此,二者的宗教地位、神权、神性和社会功能都没有本质差异。西周天帝作为至上神具有权威性、道德性、理智性和民族性。西周人对天帝充满敬畏感和依赖感,信仰虔诚。天帝信仰产生了政治整合功能、道德制约功能、心理宣泄功能以及社会认识功能。西周人将自己对象化于天帝,但未被天帝真正异化。

By the Western Zhou Dynasty, Tian and Di had already become one. They were essentially the same in their religious hierarchies, divine powers, divine characteristics and social functions. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, Tian Di as the greatest god had authoritative, moral, rational and national characteristics. People were very religious and they worshiped and relied on Tian Di. This religion helped legitimate the emperors’ rulings and provided the people with moral control, emotional outlet and knowledge of the society. The people in the Western Zhou Dynasty objectified their nature in Tian Di but they did not alienate themselves at the same time.