中国古代儒者关于牺尊、象尊形制的诠释与争辩

Interpretation and Contention on the Shape of Ox- shaped Zun and Elephant-shaped Zun among the Chinese Ancient Confucians

大致于先秦秦汉时期成书的若干文献,记载先秦时期铸造有牺尊、象尊。汉代儒者毛氏认为,牺尊是用"沙"装饰之尊。郑众认为,装饰翡翠之尊,谓之牺尊。象尊或为铸造成凤皇形貌之尊,或为用象的骨骼装饰之尊。郑玄认为,"沙"指凤皇。描绘有婆娑飘舞的凤皇羽毛图案的器皿,谓之牺尊。象尊是用某种动物骨骼装饰之尊。阮谌则认为,牺尊、象尊分别指描画有牛、象图形之尊。三国曹魏儒者王肃据当时发现的先秦古器物,认为牺尊、象尊分别指铸造成牛、象之形,凿空其背部,用来盛酒、水的容器。对上述说法,后世儒者或无所适从,或不妄加裁断,或遵循某家之说,对异说加以驳斥,或兼采并收,择善而从,或不拘泥前儒成说,另创新说。

Several literature books composed in book form during the Pre- Qin,Qin and Han periods recorded that people cast Ox- shaped Zun and Elephant- shaped Zun. The Han Dynasty Confucian Mao thought that Ox- shaped Zun was decorated by Sha. Zheng Zhong thought that Ox- shaped Zun was decorated by emerald,Elephant- shaped Zun was cast into the phoenix morphology,or was decorated by the elephant＇s bones. Zheng Xuan thought that Sha meant the phoenix. Ox- shaped Zun was the appliances which was depicted whirling dances the phoenix＇s feathers,Elephant- shaped Zun was decorated by some animal＇s bones.Ruan Chen thought that Ox- shaped Zun and Elephant- shaped Zun meant appliances which was depicted respectively by ox or elephant. Wang Su,a confucian of the Wei Dynasty,advocated that Ox- shaped Zun and Elephant- shaped Zun were the containers whose back were hollowed for holding wine or water were cast respectively into ox and elephant shape. His theory was based on the Pre- Qin appliances discovered at the time. In view of the above statement,the later Confucian either did not know what course to take,or did not make improper cutting,or followed one theory,refuted the sages,or took in everything,chose and followed what was good,or did not adhere rigidly to accepted theories,but advocated a new theory.