汉代神荼郁垒图像与东海信仰

The Iconography of Shentu-Yulei and Donghai Belief in the Han Period

两汉时期的神荼郁垒图像一般表现为高大魁梧之神人,手持苇索、桃木或刀斧兵器。苇索图案在川渝和河南地区的东汉画像砖中也多有发现,多刻画在门阙之旁。河南地区的汉墓中常常有持钺或刀剑武器的孔武力士和凶猛老虎形象出现在墓门位置。作者认为这些材料可能与文献所载的神荼郁垒辟邪除凶的观念信仰存在关联,与古代社会盛行的大傩逐疫活动密切相关,是仪式中的重要组成部分。古代大傩不只是局限于为生人驱邪逐疫,也常常用来为死者辟邪御凶,墓葬中所见的此类图像和遗物的目的或许是为了保护死者,护送其安全地抵达东海仙境。

In ancient iconographic representations,shentu-yulei is frequently depicted as a towering figure wielding a variety of objects,including weisuo(reed rope),peach wood,as well as weapons like knives or axes.In the Chuan-Yu and Henan region,the reed rope iconography is often found in proximity to stone gates,while in Henan,tomb gates frequently feature depictions of warriors brandishing yue-axes or knives alongside fierce tigers.The author posits that such iconography likely emerged under the influence of the shentu-yulei belief system,aimed at warding off malevolent spirits.This practice appears to have strong connections with Nuo opera rituals designed to expel plagues,perhaps serving as a central component of such ceremonies.The ancient Nuo ritual,integral not only to safeguarding living communities from evil forces but also guiding the departed,may have utilized these iconographic representations in burial contexts to protect and accompany the deceased on their journey to the afterlife,known as Donghai.