Reinterpretation of “Ge Tan” in the Chapter“Zhou Nan” of Shijing

• Main Authors: Chou, Chien--Ping, 周建平
• Other Authors: Wang, Lung-Sheng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/ypa6gz

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 中國文學系碩士班 === 107 === From ancient times to the present, there have been approximately 20 various interpretations regarding "Ge Tan", none of which could go under scrutiny without raising skepticism. I believe, to understand "Ge Tan" we have to first research the meaning of "Shi-shi"(師氏) . Only by solving the mystery between the connection of "Shi-shi" and "Ge" , can we fully grasp the essence of "Ge Tan". Since Han Dynasty scholar Master Mao-Heng(毛亨) asserted "Shi-shi" as "a teacher who teaches young women", later researchers were unable to contradict his opinion. However, did the title and concept of teachers really exist in Estern Zhou Dynastry(西周)? From the ancient books, theses, and archaeological articles, we reached a conclusion that "Shi-shi" meant " leader of the army of the clan". This being the case, why did "clan army" have any association with "Ge"? Hence this and other questions require further investigation. Most of the "Ge Tan" research works focused on the meaning of its text and virtue education. This paper explores only implications of the literal expression. I believe this approach is more realistic, and the spoken language of Han Dynastic's interpretation of the Western Zhou Dynastry's literature should only be used as a reference and not for complete adoption. For instance, the book “Analytical Dictionary of Characters language”(說文) pointed out: " shi" (施) meant "flags fluttering".... However, in the book LuShiChunQiu (呂氏春秋)， New Preface of Han Shi Wai Chuan(韓詩外傳)， and ShinShu (新序) all proclaimed that "shi" meant "yan"... completely discarding the connotation of "shi" . Therefore, the original definition of "shi" should not be "yan". Another example: “Analytical Dictionary of Characters language" indicated that the word "yi" (斁) could mean "jie" (解), "yian" (厭), "bao" (飽）, and "she/zhong"(射/終）。What was the reason that past scholars only interpreted "yian" as "weary" (厭) but not "full" (飽）? Take “yellow bird”( 黃鳥) for another example, it was interpreted as “yellow warbler"(黃鶯), “yellow tit”(黃雀) or “inspire”(起興) in the past. Warblers fly solo in the spring and summer, tits come out with a group in the fall and winter . The two species have different natural instincts and characteristics. If we do not establish the identity of the bird, then we could not be sure of the following phrases "flying in pair"(于飛),“gathering in”(集于), and "bush"(灌木). Futhermore, for generations “Tan”(覃) had been interpreted as "long". Yet according to the book "Shang Shu‧ Yu Gong" (尚書‧禹貢) , there was a region in Tan (覃) and Huai(懷) cities specialized in kudzu(tan) textile. This fact should be taken into consideration. I believe while reading "Shijing", one should also explore the era in which it took place. Literature and poetic is not enough to understand that particular period of time. The difference of this study from previous historical interpretations is that it focuses on the section“Ge"”. Hopefully, the analysis and opinion of the original definition combined with the past and present comparison, would allow readers to have a new source of reference.