中国文学中精灵形象的演变与发展

The Evolution of Spirit Images in Chinese Literature

本文梳理了中国文学中精灵形象演变与发展的轨迹 ,认为精灵形象从先秦至唐历宋元到明清达到高潮 ,主要趋势是精灵形象种类由少到多 ,能耐由小到大 ,变形方式由简单到复杂 ,主要精灵形象的人性不断增加 ,社会意义愈益丰富。作家以丰富多彩的艺术手法 ,描绘出个性各异、富有灵气、趣味盎然的精灵形象 ,为我国文学艺术画廊增添了瑰奇的色彩。中国文学中精灵形象之所以如此繁荣 ,主要是由于有中国精怪文化及佛道二教作为底蕴 ,同时与爱好幻想、认为万物有灵的民族心理以及作家有意追求奇幻的创作心理也有一定的关系。精灵形象具有独特的审美价值、艺术功能和教育作用。

The author traces the evolution of the images of spirits in Chinese literature.The development can be divided into three stages: from the pre-Qin period to the Tang dynasty; from the Song to the Yuan dynasty; and a climax reached during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The general trend was for the types of spirit images to gradually increase in number, the spirits became more and more powerful, and their transformations were from simple to complex. At the same time, they assumed a more human form and thus had greater social significance. With skilful artistry the writers produced many interesting and lively spirit images with different personalities, adding to the treasury of literature and art in China. The proliferation of spirit images in Chinese literature grew out of the Chinese culture of the supernatural, the two major religions of Buddhism and Taoism, national animist psyche and the writers' exploration of fantasy. The spirit images have unique aesthetic value and artistic and educational functions.