“禹步”考论

The Study of “Yubu"

禹步系春秋战国巫觋依据大禹传说而创造,是模拟禹偏枯“步不相过”的一种巫步,包含着禹铸鼎象物禁御百物的巫术意义。后来纳入道教法术系统,成为道教重要法术。其步法由“禹步三”到“三步九迹”、“步罡踏斗”,经历了许多变化,呈现出规范化和复杂化的倾向。禹步功能主要有消灾去病、驱除鬼魅、禁御毒蛇猛兽、致雨等。实际上,禹步不具备独立效力,只是巫术和法术操作程序中的一个组成部分。

In the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, according to the legend of Dayu, the wizards create Yubu, which imitates the special paces the hemiplegic Dayu, and contains the mediumistic meaning of ruling the world by founding Ding （ an ancient cooking vessel with the pictures of all the beasts）. Later Yubu becomes an important part of Taoist wizardry and it has a tendency of becoming the standardization and complication after changing from ＂three steps of Yubu＂ to ＂three steps with nine footprints＂ and ＂walking and leaving the footprint like the figure of Beidou （the Big Dipper）＂. Yubu is used to lustrate the misfortunes, expel the ghosts, control the wild animals and pray for rain. Actually it is part of wizardry and could not be used alone.