论荆楚之“水”与道家——“道教与荆楚文化研究”系列之一

Water and Taoism in Jingchu Area

古代楚国是一个以江汉流域为中心、跨连长江流域多条水系的泽国。楚人对"水"的感悟尤为深刻。"水",不仅成为楚人赖以生存的物质基础,而且还是荆楚道家看宇宙和人生的精神具象。水,滋生了荆楚文化物质和精神的双重生命。荆门郭店楚简《老子》中"水""几于道"以及"水"反辅"太一"的理论,极大地丰富了荆楚文化的内涵。

Ancient Chu Kingdom was a water covered country with Jianghan River Drainage area as its centre and Yangzi River Drainage as its neighbor. Chu people had a deep kinship with water. They not only relied on it as sustenance, but also the medium for them to observe the universe and life. It double blesses both their material and cultural life.