论有关西藏的两个传说及其传递的西方价值观

Discussion on Two Legends about Tibet and the Western Value behind Them

古典时期和中世纪时期,西方分别出现有关西藏的"黄金蚂蚁"和"约翰长老"传说。本文梳理了两个传说的出现和流传,认为传说体现了西方对财富的欲望、对基督教普世性宣传以及在面对强敌蒙古人时渴望盟友的心理,而且传说构成了西方认知西藏的根深蒂固的预设框架,在很大程度上激起了西方探索西藏的欲望。

In ancient and medieval period of the west , there existed the legends of ＂golden ants＂and＂Prester John＂about Tibet .Then this article talks about the appearance and spread of the legends , and argues that they reflect the western desires for wealth and the universality of Christianity , and the fear of Mongolia intrusion .These two legends have built the stereotype image of Tibet in western countries latter and also aroused the desire in the west to explore Tibet .