论六朝时代“妖怪”概念之变迁——从《搜神记》中之妖怪故事谈起

The Interpretation of the Alteration of the Concept of "YaoGuai"——Discussion of the "YaoGuai" Stories in the fiction SouShenJi

以《搜神记》中之妖怪故事为考察重点,具体论述了自先秦两汉时代至六朝时代"妖怪"概念发生的变化。在先秦两汉时代,它主要指一种具有预兆性的反常现象;在六朝时代,它的概念则与"精怪"的概念逐渐混淆起来,其主要意义则为精怪、鬼魅之类。

＂YaoGuai＂is a sort of relevant concept in the traditional literature and culture in China. From the period of Pre-Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty to the period of Six Dynasties, the concept of ＂YaoGuai＂ experienced a series of alterations. In the period of Pre-Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty, ＂YaoGuai＂ chiefly meant a kind of abnormal phenomenon which has the character of foretaste; in Six Dynasties, its concept became mixed up with the concept of ＂monster＂ gradually. Its chief meaning is close to that of monster, demon or ghost. With a concentrated investigation of the stories of ＂YaoGuai＂ in the fiction SouShenJi , this paper particularly discusses the indications of the alterations with the analysis of the contemporary background of the society and culture.