殷商玉戈名实考

A Study on the Concept and Entity of Jade Dagger-axes of the Shang Dynasty

殷商文字中有戈类器物的象形字,可分两类:一类象有柄铜戈之形,隶作戈字。一类象玉戈之形,可隶作,有时作纳玉戈之形。戈字本义指兵器戈,用作动词表杀伐。则专指礼仪用器,常用作贡纳、进献、赏赐、祭祀等。祭祀用玉戈涉及礼、燎祭、沉祭等。在考古发现的殷商墓葬中,玉戈是最重要的玉礼器之一,可分两型:一种曲援,形似镰刀;另一种直援,三角形援尖,双刃。还有玉援铜内戈,内上往往镶嵌绿松石。除了用作礼器,还演化成一种小巧玲珑的佩饰。

Pictographs in the shape of dagger-axe(ge)type objects in the Shang writings can be classified into two categories:one represents a bronze dagger-axe with a handle and is clerical-scripted as戈;the other represents a jade dagger-axe,sometimes a jade dagger-axe with an installed handle(纳柲na bi),and is clerical-scripted as.The word戈originally refers to the weapon dagger-axe and means fight and slay when used as a verb,while the word refers specifically to ritual objects,often utilized as tributes,offerings,rewards,sacrifices,etc.The jade dagger-axe has been used in rituals such as offering wine(祼礼guan li),burning sacrifices(燎祭liao ji),and sinking sacrifices(沉祭chen ji).In the archaeologically excavated tombs of the Shang Dynasty,is one of the most significant ritual jades and can be divided into two types:one with an incurved blade(援yuan)and shapes like a sickle;the other has a straight blade with a triangular tip and two edges.There is also a type of dagger-axe with a jade blade and a bronze tang(内nei),which is usually inlaid with turquoises on the tang.In addition to being used as a ritual object,has also evolved into a small and exquisite ornament.