辽代契丹文化中的融合与包容——以金属工艺纹样为例

Fusion and Embracement in the Khitan Culture of Liao Dynasty:Symbolism in Metalwork

辽代契丹族在其两百多年历史之中创造并留下了丰富的草原文化遗产。金属工艺尤为独树一帜,其纹样完美地体现了不同文化之间的交流。辽契丹与邻国北宋继承了广袤的唐朝版图,契丹这个季节性游牧民族进一步融入了农耕文明,他们在一定程度上继承了唐朝文化,同时也演化出自己的民族特色。来自犹太教的大卫之星纹样,具体起源时间地点仍有争议,但从出现的时空推测,可能在唐朝,或之前经波斯进入古中国。契丹族接受并使用了这来自异域的工艺品,显示出对唐朝文化的继承和对外来文化的包容。来自印度的摩竭纹样通过佛教传入古中国,在唐朝兴起后被契丹族吸收,在辽代进一步融合演变,形成了独特的摩竭纹样风格。这些足以还原一幅契丹族文化继承、文化交流、文化包容与融合的画卷。

The Khitan of Liao Dynasty created a large amount of prairie cultural heritage in over two hundred years.Their metalwork artifacts are rich and diverse.The range of symbolic patterns in metal crafts perfectly shows the communication among different cultures.The Liao Dynasty and neighboring Northern-Song Dynasty were both descendants of the culturally prosperous Tang Dynasty.As a result,the Khitan embraced and infused the agricultural civilization of its predecessors and neighbors,while preserving its semi-nomadic transhumance heritage.The Star of David pattern of Judaism,although its exact date and geographic origin are debatable,may have entered ancient China via Persia during or prior to the Tang Dynasty.The Khitan people showed generous openness and acceptance to foreign cultures exemplified by artefacts and metal crafts.The Makara pattern originated in ancient India was introduced into China through Buddhism.This symbolism was inherited and further infused with creation of the Khitan people.Through artefact and symbolism,a glimpse of Khitan cultural inheritance,cultural exchange,cultural fusion,and embracement is revealed.