“太一”发微——基于天学视域的考察

On"Taiyi"——a Study Based on Astronomical Perspective

“太一”主要涵括天学上的北极或北极星,神学上的北极神或北极星神以及哲学上的终极本源等三大意义层。但这三大意义层的时序先后一直聚讼纷纭,覃及“太一”的原型、神格、效用等问题亦有争议。从发生学角度看,“太一”大致经历了从天学到神学再到哲学的嬗变脉络。象征北极或天极的位置,正是“太一”天学意涵的核心,也是其基源性意义所在,其神学或哲学意涵皆由此派生与展开。因此,无论从神学信仰还是哲学意涵上理解“太一”,均须以其最初的天学背景为底蕴。“太一”丰富而复杂的意蕴源于古人独特的关联式思维,它生动呈现了早期中国知识、信仰与思想之间的复杂纠缠。

"Taiyi"mainly includes the arctic pole or Polaris in the astronomy,Arctic god or the Polaris god from the theology,and the ultimate source of philosophy.However,the timing of the three major meaning layers has been controversial,and the problems of the prototype,the godhead and the utility of"Taiyi"are also controversial.From the perspective of occurrence,"Taiyi"has roughly experienced the transformation from heaven to theology to philosophy.The position of the arctic pole or the celestial pole is the core of"Taiyi"astronomical meaning,and also is its root-based meaning.Thus its theological or philosophical meaning is derived and unfolded.Therefore,understanding"Taiyi"from both theological and philosophical meanings must be based on its original astronomical background.The rich and complex meaning of"Taiyi"stems from the unique coordinative thinking of the ancients.It vividly presents the complex entanglement among early Chinese knowledge,beliefs and thoughts.