论中国民间信仰中的文艺神祇

On Literary and Artistic Deities in Chinese Folk Religion

在古希腊神话体系中,掌管文艺、科学的缪斯女神主要神职侧重在文艺方面,而在中国民俗信仰的神谱中没有较为清晰的文艺神祇。中国古代戏曲业界供奉的是行业的守护神或祖师神,与艺术无关;古代民俗崇拜中的文昌神、文昌帝君、魁星所掌管的文运是读书人的科名禄籍前程富贵;两宋时期盛行的请紫姑习俗是当时民间"淫祀"风气的表现,主要目的是为了占卜预测,与文学创作无关。由对中国民间信仰中文艺神祇存否这一问题的辨析,可以窥探我们民族精神、民族性格的某些层面,并为进一步深入研究中国的民俗文化和民俗心理提供有益的启示。

In the ancient Greek mythology system,the goddess Mousika in charge of literature and art and science was responsible for literary and artistic affairs; while there were no definite god or goddess responsible for literary and artistic matters in the Chinese folk religion. The gods worshipped in ancient Chinese operas were their guardian angels or founders who had no connection with literature and art; while such gods as Wenchang God,Learning God and Kuixing God worshipped in ancient folkways were in charge of scholarly honors won in imperial exams by as well as the prospect and wealth and ranks of scholars. Furthermore,the practice of worshipping the goddess Zigu popular in the two Song dynasties was a demonstration of 'excessive sacrifices'in the then folk custom which served for divination and presages and had nothing to do with literary creation. A discrimination and analysis of the existence of gods in charge of literature and art in Chinese folk religion can help to gain an insight into some layers of the national spirit and national character of our country as well as provide reference for further studies on Chinese folk culture and folk psychology.