敦煌早期石窟中的“三圆三方”宇宙模型

The “Three Circles and Three Squares” Cosmic Model in the Early Grottoes of Dunhuang

敦煌早期石窟中保存有5个完整的覆斗顶型洞窟,其窟顶藻井图案与新近公布的北大藏秦简中的陈起“三圆三方”宇宙模型一致。该图由中心三个圆外切三个互相叠交的正方形的形式构架而成,三圆直径分别等于三方边长,三圆直径之比和三方边长之比都为2(1/2)的倍数关系。2(1/2)这一特殊的勾股数,在中国传统宇宙理论中体现着天圆地方、天人合一的哲学观念。通过比对同期各地墓葬藻井图案,可以发现相同类型的图案表现的是三圆三方宇宙模型,表达的是天圆地方的宇宙观念,体现的是天与天国的理想景象,传导的是天人合一的终极思想。

In the early Dunhuang grottoes, there are five complete Dome - top caves. The pattern of algae wells on the top of the caves coincides with Chen Qis "three circles and three sides" cosmic model in the newly published Beida Tibetan Qin bamboo slips. The graph is constructed by three centers and three squares tangentially. The diameter of three circles is equal to the length of three sides respectively. The ratio of the diameter of three circles to the length of three sides is a multiple of the root number 2. Root 2 ,a special Pythagorean number, embodies the philosophical concept of the unity of heaven,earth and ma n in traditional Chinese cosmological theory. By comparing the patterns of algae wells in the tombs of different places in the same period , we can find that the same type of patterns represent the three - circle trilateral cosmic model, which expresses the cosmic concept of the heavenly circle , reflects the ideal scene of heaven and the kingdom of heaven, and transmits the ultimate idea of the unity of heaven and man.