再探半坡神秘刻划符号

A Reexamination of Banpo Pottery Symbols

学者以往对半坡神秘刻划符号的解读并不尽如人意。笔者为神秘符号总结出五大特征:左右对称、上下指向、叠加累级、单体合成繁复、简单象形。在游牧文化背景下审视符号,大体可划分为兵、王、巫、臣四个等级。陶器刻划符号的用意有三:计量军功、区分等级或家族祭祀礼器、显示身份的葬具。

Scholars have formerly provided but unconvincing explication on the symbols on the potteries unearthed from Banpo, Xi＇an. The author of the essay, referencing the symbols unearthed from Jiangzhai, which are temporally and spatially close and belongs to the same cultural type, identifies five characteristics out of the symbols： bilateral symmetry, vertical direction, accumulative gradation, combination of simple symbols and primary pictography. From the perspective of nomadic culture, these fall into four broad categories： soldier, chief, shaman, attendants. There are three main functions concerning the symbols on pottery： measuring military exploits, offering and sharing sacrifice according to class and family, funeral object showing identity and class.