论中国古代神话的谶纬化

Conversion of Ancient Chinese Myths to Divination

谶纬是中国古代一种神秘的文化现象。汉代以前有“谶”无“纬”,汉代之时一大批方士化的儒生以谶辅经、释经,“纬”应时而生,“谶纬”并由此合流为一体,形成了一个庞大的谶纬神学体系,成为汉代的政治哲学与统治思想。古代神话也在谶纬神学兴盛中被改写、拟写,表现出鲜明的仙话化、感生化、五行化、祥瑞灾异化等谶纬样态,成为释经解经的工具,成为纬书中的重要内容,由此古代神话被谶纬化了。古代神话的谶纬化体现出强烈的政治性功利目的,这是汉代神话的突出表现,也是中国古代神话流变的独有形态和鲜明特征。神话谶纬化这种文化现象是由其自身特性和时代思想文化的选择、儒士集团的推动、君王的崇信等契机与原因共同作用的结果。神话谶纬化改变了古代神话的原生面貌与原始系统,形成了一套新的神话系统与面貌,但同时也使古代神话得以丰富与充实、保存与流传。

Divination is a mysterious cultural phenomenon in ancient China.Before the Han Dynasty,there was only“divination”(chèn)but not“divination study”(wěi).In the Han Dynasty,a large number of Confucian scholars supplemented the interpretation of the scriptures with divination,and thus divination study came into being at that time,and the two merged into one,forming a huge theological system of divination,which became the political philosophy and ruling thought of the Han Dynasty.The ancient myths were also falsified in the prosperity of divination theology,and showed distinct divination patterns,such as the immortal beings,the heavenly father,the five primary elements,and the auspicious signs and calamities,which became the tools of interpretation of the scriptures and the important content of the divination study.The divination of ancient mythology reflects the strong political utilitarian purpose,which is the outstanding manifestation of Han Dynasty mythology,and the unique form and distinctive feature of the evolution of ancient Chinese mythology.This cultural phenomenon of mythological divination is the result of its own characteristics,the choice of ideology and culture of the times,the promotion of the Confucian group,the worship of the emperor and other opportunities and causes.The mythological divination changed the original appearance and system of ancient myths,formed a new set of mythological systems and features,but at the same time had the ancient myths enriched,preserved and spread.