松柏比德的历史演进

Historical Evolution of the Moral Connotation of Pine and Cypress

在以儒家为主导的中国文化中,有"比德"之传统,即将价值理念、人格理想等赋予具体的事物。松柏不畏严寒,品性贞刚,天然具备能暗示、象征主体品格内涵的特征,因此成为中国文学中常见的"比德"之象。松柏比德在长期的发展演进中,比德内涵日渐丰富,人格象征逐步完善。在人们的心目中,松柏代表着高洁的人格和坚贞的操守,成为民族理想人格的符号。

It is a long tradition in Chinese culture, in which Confucianism takes dominance, to endow some specific things with virtues of human, for instance, value, personality, ambition and so on. Both pine and cypress are the trees that are able to endure extreme coldness and always stand erect and unbending. Therefore, they are the natural images symbolizing human and frequently appear in Chinese literature. After a long history of development and evolution, the moral connotation of pine and cypress becomes richer, and their personality gradually perfect. In people＇s mind, they stand for the noble personality and unyielding spirit, and symbolize the ideal personality of Chinese nation.