由商汤“网开三面”说到商代鸟类保护观念

From Tang's “A Net With Three Sides Open” to the Protection of Birds in Shang Dynasty

古文献中有商汤"网开三面,德及禽兽"的故事,自来往往被解释成商汤作为一个圣明君主仁爱民众、德及禽兽的盛德行为,或被说成是商汤笼络人心之举。其实如果从环境史的角度来看,此事也反映了商人有保护鸟类的生态观念。对于殷商时代人们来说,其环保意识的产生也与其宗教信仰密不可分。商人以玄鸟为图腾,对鸟类持有一种崇拜和敬畏的态度,所以不论在甲骨卜辞中,还是在殷墟考古材料中,都显示了商人对鸟类有着不同于其他野生动物的独特待遇。

＂If a net is open on three sides, kindness can be spread over birds and beasts＂--Tang＇s belief was record- ed in legends in ancient literature. This belief has long been interpreted as Tang＇ s virtuous rule over his people and his kindness even to the beasts. This belief has also been understood as the reason of Tang＇ s practice to win over the heart of people. However, regarded from the perspective of environmental history, this belief can also reveal people＇ s ecological conception to protect birds in Shang Dynasty. For people in Shang, their environmental awareness was generated be- cause of their religious belief. They took black birds as their totem, and showed strong respect and awe towards birds. As a result, no matter in the oracles inscribed on tortoise shell or in archeological discoveries from Yin ruins, we can always find people in Shang had a special attachment towards birds other than any other wild animals.