“桃”在汉日成语谚语中的文化意蕴论析

An Analysis of the Cultural Connotations of “Peach” in Chinese and Japanese Idioms and Proverbs

在漫长的历史发展进程中,“桃”与人们日常生活密切相关。根据“桃”自身的植物特征,人们将它和美丽的女性、易逝的青春以及蓬勃的生命力关联在一起,赋予它多样的文化内涵,尤其是它旺盛的生命力、强大的繁育力以及与之相关的神话传说,使得“桃”被神圣化,进而衍生出驱鬼辟邪、长生不老、婚嫁生育、理想仙境的意蕴。而与“桃”相关的成语典故又使“桃”具有了师生关系、品行道德方面的象征意义。古代日本百姓和“桃”的关系没有像中国这般密切,他们特别关注“桃”果实的形状、颜色等外在形态,形成了有别于中国的独特认知。日本成语辞典中有关“桃”的成语皆出自中国诗文典籍,但其桃文化仍保有日本民族特色。汉语成语谚语中“桃”的文化意蕴转变主要可分为先秦至汉代、魏晋南北朝、唐宋以及之后的元明清三个阶段,从中可以窥见词汇含义的演变深受社会历史文化影响,社会生活变迁也在语言的使用中得到体现。

Across historical development, “peach” is closely relative to people's daily life. Based on its botanical characteristics, “peach” is associated with beautiful women, fleetin g youth, and vigorous vitality, imbued with diverse cultural meanings. Particularly due to vitality, prolific breeding capabilities, and relevant mythological legends, “peach” has been sanctified, leading to interpretations of exorcism, longevity, marriage and fertility, and idealized paradises. Idioms and allegories related to “peach” also endow it with s ymbolic significance in terms of mentorship and moral conduct. In ancient Japan, peach's relationship with commoners focused on its shape, color, and external forms, contributing to a unique cultural perception distinct from China. Japanese idioms related to the peach are sourced from Chinese literary classics, yet retain unique Japanese cultural traits. The cultural connotations of “peach” in Chinese idioms and proverbs have evolved across three main stages: from preQin and Han dynasties, to Wei-Jin and Northern and Southern dynasties, and subsequently through the Tang and Song dynasties to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. These transformations reflect the influence of social, historical, and cultural changes on linguistic usage and societal evolution.