汉画像所见“磬折”与“微磬”

On “磬折” and “微磬” Seen in Drawings of the Han Dynasty

在文献中,有用'磬折'、'微磬'来形容腰身倾曲的记载。这种身形符合礼仪规范,是示敬的样貌。'磬折'一词来源于磬,指磬的'倨句',为135°。当古人描述身形时,所谓'磬折',是指腰身像磬那样,倾曲角度约135°;所谓'微磬',是指该角度大于135°。在汉代画像里,可以见到不少相应的实例。

There are records in ancient literature of using the phrases"磬折"and"微磬"to describe the degrees of bending one's back to show respect for other people.Such degrees of bending the body were in agreement with the norms of etiquette of that time.The word"磬折"comes from磬(chime stone),referring to"倨句"of playing the chime stone or namely an angle of 135°.When ancient people described people's body shape,the so-called"磬折"stood for an angle of 135°.And the socalled“微磬”stood for an angle larger than 135°.Actual examples can be seen in many drawings of the Han Dynasty.