一种被尘封的符号

A Dust-laden Symbol

数字一二三四五六七八九十,是由一种符号演变而来的。这些符号的初形初义是性生活的记号。这些性生活符号早在甲骨文数符前就已出现,所有珠算码、苏州码或楷体数字远在其后,都是沿着10个性生活符号的路子走出来的。缺憾的是10个性生活符号后来可能因为实用价值不高而被漠视闲置,也可能是数符的取代,加上社会制度的限制而失落了。如今将这些散落的刻符系列地组合起来,方才唤起尘封的记忆,也倒可以看到母系社会生活的一斑。

The number 一 （ one ） 二 （ two ） 三（ three ）四 （four）五（ five ）六（ six ） 七 （ seven ） 八 （ eight ）九 （ nine ） 十（ten） evolved from a kind of symbols. The original forms and meanings of such symbols were the signs of sex life. Such signs appeared before the Oracle numbers, and the Abacus code, Suzhou code or the Figures in italics were much later and followed the ten signs. Unfortunately the ten signs were ignored and idled due to their poor practical value. Maybe replaced by the numbers or restricted by the social system, the ten signs were lost. Nowadays, when we put these scattered inscriptions together, the dust- laden memories could be aroused, and we can see the extent of maternal social life.