湘西悬棺葬的文化意蕴

On the Cultural Implication of the Suspending Coffin in Xiangxi Region

悬棺葬是我国古代一种奇异的葬俗,研究者普遍认为它是古濮越文化的反映。湘西人认同悬棺葬是受楚文化的影响。悬棺葬既是楚文化中灵魂回归意识的表述,又是他们凤鸟崇拜这一"集体表象"的展演。湘西悬棺葬是楚文化在湘西地区传播的结果。

Suspending coffin, a bizarre custom in ancient China, is widely regarded as a reflection of ancient and primi- tive “Yue” （now mainly in Zhejiang province） culture. However,people in Xiangxi region （in the west of Hunan province） identify that it is influenced by “Chu” （now mainly in Hunan and Hubei provinces）, holding that suspending coffin is either the return of soul to consciousness in Chu culture, or the exhibition of their worship to phoenix. Suspending coffin is resulted from the spreading of Chu culture in Xiangxi region.