明清时期苏南运河区域的金龙四大王信仰

The Belief in Golden Dragon King Along the Great Canal of Southern Jiangsu in Ming and Qing Dynasties

明清时期苏南运河区域不仅是商品经济极为发达的地区,同时也是金龙四大王信仰较为盛行的地区。漕粮运输和水上航运的现实需要是金龙四大王信仰盛行的主要原因。漕军、商人成为信仰传播的重要媒介,文人、谢氏宗族对金龙四大王谢绪事迹的颂扬亦推动了信仰扩展。运河沿岸的金龙四大王庙宇在满足不同社会群体祭祀需求的同时,在扩大社会交往、增进社会互动方面亦发挥了显著作用。

In Ming and Qing Dynasties,the Canal region of Southern Jiangsu is not only an economically developed place,but also the one where people believe in Golden Dragon King. Its popularity resulted mainly in the realistic need of grain＇s transport and water shipping. The army of water transport,businessmen were the important medium of the belief spreading; the Literati and the Xie clan also promoted the extension of the belief by praising the heroic deeds of Xie Xv（ who＇s named Golden Dragon King after his death）. Golden Dragon King Temple along the canal met the ritual need of different social groups,played a prominent role in expanding social exchanges and enhancing social interactions as well.