中国树木精怪形象演变分析

An Analysis of the Image Evolution of the Tree Genies in China

中国古代树木精怪的形象经历了木神句芒、动物形树精、人形树精的演变,并在各阶段呈现出不同的特点。受阴阳五行学说的影响,句芒的多重神格互相勾连,它既是春神,也兼具东方神、木神的职能。魏晋时期动物形树木精怪大量出现,以青牛最具代表性。青牛与树木互化,与二者的五行属性息息相关。唐宋以后人形树精逐渐成为主流,在外形、思维和情感等方面向人靠拢,树木精怪吟诗作赋的故事屡见不鲜,这其实是文人展露才华、抒发情志的曲折反映。

The image of the ancient Chinese tree genies evolved from the tree genie of Gou Mang,the animal-like genies and the human-like genies,and presented various characteristics during each stage.Influenced by the theories of Yin-Yang and Five Elements,the multiple deities of Gou Mang are correlated with each other,who is not only God of Spring,but also God of Wood and God of the East.During the Wei and Jin dynasties,a large number of animal-like trees genies appeared,and Green Cattle was the most representative one.The incarnation between Green Cattle and trees was closely related to their Five Elements.After the Tang and Song dynasties,human-like tree genies gradually took the mainstream,and resembled human beings in appearance,thoughts and feelings.It is common to find stories of tree genies reciting and composing poems,which is in fact the indirect reflection of the literati’s talent revealing and feeling expression.