辽代契丹人的子嗣观

The male offspring view of the Khitan in Liao Dynasty

在辽代契丹人的观念中,子嗣的绵延是一件极其重要的事情,4-7个子女,是契丹族多子女家庭中常见的数量。契丹人的子嗣观念同样存在着贵嫡贱庶的倾向,子嗣的家庭地位与其嫡庶身份有着很大的关系。子嗣的家庭责任在于赡养父族、继承家产,而子嗣的嫡庶或有无也直接影响到一个家族财产的财产继承(既包括物质遗产又包括政治遗产),辽代契丹人子嗣观念是契丹族的家庭物质财富、新生人口的存活率、孝亲观念、尚武精神综合影响下的产物。

In the khitan people＇s idea in liao dynasty, male offspring is very important. It is common to have 4 to7 children in their families. Meanwhile, based on the custom of valuing the lineal but humbling the concubine, the level of a child＇s identity is determined by his（her）mother＇s identity（official wife or concubine）. Descendents have responsibilities to support their parents, inherit the property. However, with or without descendent and the identity of descendent, directly affect the heritage of the family, which includes material inheritance and the political heritance. The family wealth, the survival rate of newborn and the concept of filial duty jointly give birth to the male offspring view of the Khitan in Liao Dynasty.