摩竭造像的原型与流变

The Antetype and Evolution of the Image Creation of Capricorn

摩竭造像源于印度民间的神话传说,为水中巨兽,后为佛教所用,并随佛教传入中国而与中国文化融合。其造像也逐渐华化,与中国传统观念中认可的鱼、龙等吉祥物融合变异后形成了中国鱼龙合体之神兽。其文化内涵也发生了变异,从印度民间传说中恐惧的海兽,变成中国化的镇邪、祈福的瑞兽,是文化的变异赋予其新的意义。

The Image creation of Capricorn originated from an Indian folk fable and it was a behemoth in the water. Later it was used by Buddhism and came to Chinese culture together with Buddhism and melted into the culture with fish and dragon as a combined divine animal. The connotation also changed from a strange behemoth into a lucky implication in the Chinese culture.