古中國的神話動物鎖具

Ancient Chinese Locks with Mythological Animals

顏鴻森(H. S Yan) ； 黃馨慧(H. H. Huang)

《科技博物》 7卷3期 (2003/09) Pp. 3-11

摘要

鎖具爲古人鎖閉或裝飾的日常用品之一，可反映出當代的工藝技術、社會文化、及經濟發展；然而，卻少有人收藏與研究。簧片鎖為古中國最典型的鎖具，分爲廣鎖與花旗鎖，神話動物鎖具屬花旗鎖。古代的神話和民族生活的意識與發展形態有關，並籍由各種形象圖紋流傳下來，神化動物是其中之一。四靈－麒麟、鳳凰、龜獸、以及龍，是神話動物的主要代表，展現出當代人民對生活的期望及對神靈的崇信。麒麟象徵聖王治室，天下太平；鳳凰居百烏之首，有著美好與和平的表徵；龜獸有王道政治的瑞兆與長壽之意；龍則代表了英勇、尊貴、及威武，更有君王的象徵。有關神化動物鎖具的實物保存與文獻記載相當缺乏，本文介紹了九把收藏的神化動物鎖具，可體會出古早中國鎖具的工藝技術與文化內涵。

關鍵字

中國鎖具 ； 神話動物 ； 四靈 ； 文化

並列摘要

Ancient locks were daily devices for locking and/or decorating. They display the craft technology, the social culture, and the economic development at that time, However, very few people collect and study Chinese locks. Splitting-spring locks are the most typical Chinese locks. They can be classified as broad locks and pattern locks. And, locks with mythological animals are pattern locks. The ancient mythologies show the variations of culture conscious and the development of ancient life. They are delivered to the present time by diverse patterns and figures, such as the mythological animals: kylin, phoenix, tortoise and dragon. These four divinities reflect the expectations to life and the lofty believe to deities of ancient people. Kylin represents a peaceful world resulting by the ruling of a kind king. Phoenix, the head of all kinds of birds, is the symbol of glorious and peaceful. Tortoise has the auspicious of kingdom politics and long life. Dragon shows courageous, respectable and power, and is an emblem of supreme ruler. Very few real articles and literatures regarding mythological animal locks have been preserved. This work introduces nine pieces of collected locks with mythological animals. And, they demonstrate the craftsmanship and artistry of ancient Chinese locks.

並列關鍵字

Chinese locks ； mythology animals ； four divinities ； culture

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