16世纪末期西方视野中的中国形象——以门多萨《中华大帝国史》为例

China's Image in the West During the Late 16th Century: A Study of Mendoza's History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China and the Situation Thereof

作为16世纪末期一部叙述中国最全面、最详尽的著作,门多萨的《中华大帝国史》对当时的欧洲文明圈关于"中国形象"知识的形成影响不小。它既给欧洲想象了一个伟大强盛、文明智慧的中国,又以自己的文化模式和程序重新塑造了这个"他者",将之纳入基督教文明体系中,为这个迥异的文明找到接受的合法性与合理性。门多萨采取平等的视角审视和描述中国形象,与16世纪末欧洲的历史文化语境有密切的关系。通过对门多萨等构拟的中国知识的挖掘,后来的启蒙主义者亦获得了改造社会的知识镜鉴。

As the most comprehensive and detailed book about China in the late 16 th century, Mendoza＇s History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China and the Situation Thereof had a considerable influence on European civilized society＇s understanding of the image of China. It gave Europe an imaginary China that was powerful, civilized and full of wisdom. At the same time, the book shaped China into the＂Other＂according to Europe＇s cultural pattern and process, incorporating China into the system of Christian civilization, and finding legitimacy and rationality for the acceptance of China. Mendoza＇s observation and description of China are characterized by the sense of equality, a practice that is closely related to the historical and cultural atmosphere of Europe in the late 16 th century. Meanwhile, through the excavation of the image of China that was constructed by Mendoza, future Enlightenment activists found the cultural value to reform the society.