《诗·伯兮》“言树之背”解

explain“背”of Shijing

文章从萱草“喜生于山坡略隐蔽处”的生长特性与古建筑的形制“堂”(指“南堂”)与“北堂”(指“北室的一部分”)的不同入手,揭示《诗经·伯兮》“焉得谖草,言树之背”中“背”的含义为“背阴略隐蔽处”,否定了自汉代《毛传》以来,学者多以“背”通“北”,训“背”作“北堂”、“北堂阶下”或“堂背”,以及以“背”通“(?)”的各种传统解释。

From Han dynasty to now, most scholars explain 背 in Shijing Boxi as 北堂 or [缶咅].The author point out that 背 always means back, It can not means north or north house, And [缶咅] is the big abdomen and small mouth pitcher, not flower-pot. So 背 can not use as [缶咅]. The author taking into account the growth character of daylily（萱草） is love growing in shade place ,so the author conclude that the meaning of 背 is 背面,背处（shade place）.