《左传》“沉玉质珪”的文化阐释

A Cultural Interpretation of the Custom of Dropping Jade into the Yellow River in Zuo’s Commentary

《左传》中的"沉玉质珪"之俗充分展现了春秋时期人们对黄河神灵和玉石的信仰与崇拜。古人视玉有"勇"德和"信"德,因此他们以"沉玉于河"娱媚河神,祈求战争的胜利;以"质珪于河"为信盟誓,意谓河神见证。正是基于人们对河神和玉石的共同敬畏与崇拜,爰有沉玉而济、以璧祈战于河、质珪于河而盟之举。

The custom of dropping jade into the Yellow River in Zuo＇s Commentary fully demonstrates the people＇s faith and worship of the Yellow River God and the jade during the Spring and Autumn Period. The ancients regarded jade as the symbol of bravery and trust, so they gave pleasure to the Yellow River God by dropping jade to pray for victory, and held alliance by taking jade to the Yellow River as a creed to mean the God＇s witness. Because of people＇s common awe and worship of the Yellow River God and the jade, there appeared the actions of dropping jade to the Yellow River for relief, prayer and alliance.