玄武释源

Origin of Xuanwu School

玄武是中国文化中历史悠久,演变复杂,影响极广,地位重要,并得到官方及民间普遍崇奉的道教大神。玄武在由代表方位四时的四灵神兽发展成为象征北方的北方神;进而成为镇托北方、扶保社稷的真武真君;其发展演变莫不与中国传统思想文化、历史进程、政治军事态势以及民间信仰等息息相关。其代表形象、功能、内涵及外延均经历了一个漫长的发展过程。本文紧密围绕这一主题展开,试图就玄武崇拜的历史发展作一个系统化梳理。

Xuanwu is an important Taoist god representing north with a long history., complex development, far and wide influence, significant status, and official and non-official worshipers. Xuanwu was a supernatural animal representing north originally. Then Xuanwu became the nonhen god signified by Qixiu stars in the northern sky. Finally Xuanwu turned into Zhenwu Zhenjun God that protects the northern part of China. The development of Xuanwu worship bas been closely connectod with the development of Chinese history, traditional cuhure, anti political and militmy situations. The image, timetion and connotation of Xuanwu have undergone a long development princess. Following closely with this theme, the paper will systematically overview the development history of Xuanwu worship.