试论明清鲁中地区水神信仰

A Study of the Worship of Water God in Central Shandong in Ming and Qing Dynasties

水是生命之源,与人们生产、生活息息相关,在以农业立国的中国,早在原始社会后期就已经产生了水神信仰。明清鲁中地区是一个典型的农业社会,其水神信仰具有地区和历史之特点,主要表现为:参与者广泛,神灵体系完备,祈雨行为功利化,政治、道德色彩浓厚、具有地域特色等,既对前代有所继承、发展,又与周边地区有所不同,这些无疑与当地的自然、地理环境,政治、文化传统息息相关。

Water is the source of life. It is closely related to people＇ s production and daily life. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Central Shandong was a typical agricultural society where there were numerous worshippers of Water God. Their system of worship was complete, and their rain praying was utilitarianism, with rich political, moral and regional features. It was inherited from former times and different from that of the surrounding areas. All these features were closely connected to the natural and political environment and cultural traditions.