殷周北斗信仰初探

On the Big Dipper Belief of Shang and Zhou Dynasties

北斗信仰是中国古代持续时间最长,影响范围最广的一种宗教信仰,其萌芽于殷周时期。商代的卜辞中保留有殷人拜祭北斗的记录,是为时人存在北斗信仰的有力证据。战国早期的曾侯乙墓中共出土了5个彩绘漆箱,分别绘有天象、神树、瑞兽、仙人及几何图案。其中的天象图中"斗"字居中,统御二十八宿,青龙、白虎分居左右。表明曾侯希望魂归斗极的终极愿望。此外,在周代,北斗已经作为王权的象征为周天子所垄断使用权。

Big Dipper belief, which emerged in Shang and Zhou dynasties, is one of the earliest religious beliefs of our ancient ancestors, it is also a religious belief which lasted the longest time in Chinese history. The records of sacrificing Big Dipper, which retained in oracle inscriptions of Shang dynasty, proofed that Big Dipper belief had existed already. And the 5 lacquer chests in the tomb of marquis Yi of Zeng state indicated that marquis Yi were looking forward to flying to Big Dipper after he died. Furthermore, Big Dipper had been regarded as the symbol of royalty in Zhou dynasty.