巴蜀符号的变迁及其性质分析

Analysis on the Change and Nature of Ba-Shu Symbol

巴蜀符号主要发现在东周时期巴蜀青铜兵器、青铜工具和青铜印章上面。依据不同载体,分析了巴蜀符号的特征与演变。不同功能的器物上的巴蜀符号类型差异明显,当时的人们在使用这些符号的时候是有明确的区分,说明它们的性质、功能应该有所区别。青铜兵器上巴蜀符号可能与古蜀的古老传说和信仰密切相关,当时的人们相信其具有神奇的力量,能够增强兵器的神奇威力。印章上的符号可能象征吉祥的喻意,活人佩戴有护身符的性质,随葬于墓中有护佑死者的作用。青铜工具上的符号最大可能是代表所有者或生产者标识性徽记。

The Ba-Shu symbols were mainly found on the bronze weapons,tools and seals of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.Many scholars had already made researches on its symbolic meaning,nature and function,and thought it’s a kind of special symbol-image language for people to express their meaning at that time,so called it‘Ba-Shu Picture Language’.Some scholars also believed that these were auspicious symbols with the meaning of primitive witchcraft and a small part were national emblems.Some understandings seem quite reasonable.According to the differences of form,combination rule and carrier,the author divides Ba-Shu symbols into three categories.The first is figurative pattern,which describes the overall shape of objects,including frequently seen cicada,tiger and bird patterns,as well as few dragon and human figure patterns.The second is the semi-abstract symbol,taking part of the image of a specific thing to symbolize,like palm and flower patterns.The third kind is pure abstract symbol,like tree(sometime with a frame),water wave,hill and so on.Through careful analysis of the existing materials,the author holds that the use of Ba-Shu symbols is quite regular.The categories and forms of symbols are obviously different in different functional objects,indicating different properties and functions.The symbols on weapons may be closely related to the ancient legend and belief of ancient Shu.People at that time believed that it had magical power and could enhance the power of weapon.The symbols on seals might symbolize auspicious metaphors,which were worn by the living as amulets and buried in tombs to protect the dead.The bronze tools with Ba-Shu symbol are relatively few and have no certain law.They were basically engraved or printed to the tools and were most likely an owner or producer logo.According to the analysis,the society of Ba-Shu probably had a whole set of stylized symbol system,using a set of different symbols for different occasions.