中日年糕的民俗符号意义

The Meanings of Folk Symbols Reflected in Chinese and Japanese Rice Cakes

中日两国都有食用年糕的食俗,年糕作为一种民俗符号具有一种象征意义。本文借用索绪尔的语言学理论和符号学家C·S·皮尔士对符号的分类方法对中日年糕的民俗符号意义进行解读,认为,在历史性的视野下民俗符号具有复合性和层次性,民俗是一种历久弥新,含义丰富的宝贵资源。

Both China and Japan have the custom of eating rice cakes. As a sign of folk customs, rice cakes possess a symbolic meaning. Based on the linguistic theories of Saussure and categorizing method of symbols by semiologist Charles S. Peirce, this thesis makes a deep analysis on the meanings of folk symbols reflected in Chinese and Japanese rice cakes. It proposes that folk symbols are characteristic of compositionality and hierarchy from the historic perspective. The folk custom is an invaluable resource with timeless feature and rich connotations.