Between“Guandai”(冠带)and“Yidi”(夷狄):Sima Qian's National Consciousness

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty,the ethnic relations in China entered a new historical stage.Records of the Historian written during this period gives a basically factual account of the ethnic history in China since ancient epochs.It is the first specialized work on ethnic history.The national consciousness that Sima Qian presents in this work is distinctively different from the Confucian tradition,which draws a strict line between Hua(华,China)and Yi(夷,the barbarians).His attention on the commonality of the cultural genes between the farming peoples of the Central-Plains and the nomadic hunting peoples of the borderlands,his recognition of the integrated impact that multiple ethnic groups have on the rise and development of Huaxia(华夏,Chinese)civilization,his respect for"differences among barbarians of the four directions"(四夷各异),and his approval of the“merits of Hu attire”(胡服之功)are all embodiment of his liberal views.To explore the formation and development of the cultural community of the Chinese nation and to understand and interpret this historical process of ethnic integration,we should attach great importance to the positive significance of Sima Qian's national consciousness.

明代冠带生员及其影响

明代冠带生员是明政府实施的一项非常重要的科举落第政策,针对年老又屡次落第的士子起着非常重要的安抚作用。冠带生员在告免后,亦会从事其他行业,如教书、从医、从商等活动。冠带生员这一政策不仅在培养优秀人才、教化地方社会发挥着重要作用,而且对于提升尚学之风、推动社会阶层流动等方面产生了深远的影响,是明代科举制度发展到鼎盛时期的一项重要举措。

“冠带”“夷狄”之间:司马迁的民族意识

汉武帝时代,民族关系进入历史新阶段。成书于此时的《史记》,对于上古以来的民族史有大致符合历史真实的记述。《史记》是开始专门的民族史书写的第一部史学名著。司马迁在《史记》中表达的民族意识,与儒学严格界隔“华夷”的传统有别。《史记》关注中原农耕民族与边地游牧射猎民族在文化基因方面的共通性,承认多民族对华夏文明发生和发育的综合作用,尊重文化风习的“四夷各异”,肯定并赞扬“胡服之功”,这些都体现了开明的理念。考察中华民族文化共同体的形成和发展,理解并说明这一历史进程,应当重视司马迁民族意识的积极意义。