“滋”、“味”考——兼论先民对五味的理性思考

On the Origin of Zi and Wei——and Chinese Ancestors' Rational Thought on Five Senses of Food

"滋"之本义始于器皿盛水外溢之状(益)、草木滋长于野之势(兹)的联想;"味"之本义始于稼穑秋熟发出的香味。中国传统哲学中"五行"观在其早期形成中,对酸、苦、辛、咸、甘五字的形与义皆有不同角度和不同程度的影响,而"五味"间的内在关系、调味与养生之道在其古文字中已有所表现。

Abstract： The literal meaning of the word Zi is from the association of water overflowing from container （Yi） and vegetation growing wild （Zi）. And the word Wei is from the smell of ripe crops in autumn. In Chinese traditional philosophy, ＂Five Elements＂, in its formative period, had influenced the form and meaning of the five words ＂sour＂, ＂bitter＂, ＂spicy＂, ＂salty＂ and ＂sweet＂ from various angles and to varying degrees. The interrelationship of the five senses of food and the way of seasoning and regimen had been presented in their ancient characters.