三国时期吴地黄道十二宫图像试探

Preliminary Analysis of the Twelve Ecliptic Signs Unearthed from the Region of the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period

根据广西贵港出土铜镜上的星象图像,确认三国时期吴地夔凤镜(四叶纹对凤镜,主要为佛像夔凤镜)上的螃蟹和瓶子形象为黄道十二宫巨蟹和宝瓶图像。由于佛教或许还有西方占星术的传播,当时的吴地已经接触到某些黄道十二宫内容,并附会本土传说对其进行了选择、吸收。就目前所见的材料而言,这些内容应该由南方的海路传入。这也为早期佛教自海路传入中国南方的途径增加了一个证据。

In light of the discovery of bronze mirrors inscribed with astronomical signs unearthed from Guigang, Guangxi province, this paper suggests that the crab and vase iconographies found on mirrors with Buddha-phoenix motifs in the Wu Kingdom are the zodiacal representations of Cancer and Aquarius. Due to the spread of Buddhism and possibly associated western astrology, people in the Wu Kingdom might have acquired the knowledge of the zodiac system, and selectively incorporated it into their indigenous legends. Based on the analysis of historical sources, these astronomical iconographies were most likely introduced to China via the marine route from further south. This serves as new evidence substantiating the argument that the transmission of early Buddhism into southern China might follow the maritime route.