论中国古典文学作品灯烛意象的文化内涵

On the cultural connotation of lamp and candle image in Chinese classical literature works

赏灯品烛是古代文人的雅好,灯烛意象是中国古典文学作品中出现时间较早、使用频率较高的经典意象,具有丰富的文化内涵。虽然灯与烛同为照明工具,但二者在物性上存在差异,使用群体也不同,它们被赋予的象征意义和感情色彩也出现相应的分化:烛意象富贵化,灯意象清贫化;烛意象比灯意象更具人格化潜力;灯与烛都有燃烧自己照亮黑暗的特质,但前者侧重于照亮,后者侧重于燃烧,灯寄托的精神偏向于奉献,烛寄托的精神偏向于牺牲。烛意象常和花、女人联系在一起,向女性化、艳情化方向发展;灯意象常和夜、雨、秋相伴,象征孤独寂寞的心境。

Appreciating lamps and candles has been one of the main hobbies of ancient literati for a long time past.Lamp and candle image are classical images which appeared earlier and used more frequently in Chinese classical literature.Although lamp and candle are both lighting tools,they are different in physical properties and users:the candles symbolize fortune and lamps symbolize poverty;candle image has more personalization potential than lamp image;both lamp and candle have the characteristic of burning themselves to illuminate the darkness,but the former focuses on lighting,while the latter focuses on burning;the spirit of lamp is inclined to dedication,while the spirit of candle is inclined to sacrifice.Candle image is often associated with flowers and women,and develops towards feminization and eroticization;lamp image is often accompanied by night,rain and autumn,as a symbol of loneliness.