桥联琐谈

Brief Probe into Stone Bridge Poetic Couplets

桥联是指桥上的对联,镌刻在石桥桥孔两侧石柱外侧的醒目位置,可供桥下行舟之人观赏。通过对湖州现存古代石桥的考察,笔者发现,桥联的大量出现是在清代乾隆以后,其内容大多为描写景物、劝人向善、记述造桥功德、指明地理位置等。桥联体现了一个时代的中国文学、书法艺术、建筑技术水平,是中国古桥文化的重要内容。

Stone bridge poetic couplets, engraved on the obvious position on both sides of stone pillars outside the aperture of stone bridges, are designed to be enjoyed by people on the river. Based on the research on the existing ancient stone bridges in Huzhou, stone bridge poetic couplets were emerged in large numbers after Emperor Qianlong Period of Qing Dynasty. The contents of most of the couplets at that time were description of the scenery, inspirational quotes, records of the bridges building and designation of certain locations. Stone bridge poetic couplets represent the level of ancient Chinese literature, calligraphic art and architectural technology and they are also the important parts of the culture of Chinese ancient bridges.