清代臺灣之奢靡風氣

The Atmosphere of Extravagance in Qing Taiwan

臺灣於初入清版圖之際，即有一股暑靡風氣出現於民間，並且持續地發展與擴散，延續了整個清治時期。此風氣瀰漫在庶民的日常生活中，包括飲食、服飾、宴會、住屋、交通工具，以及宴會婚聘與宗教事務等各個層面，顯示臺灣人民的消費水平當相高。而這些奢靡行為，還具有若干特點：1.社會的中、下皆對於暑靡行為的崇尚與追求；一般認為富貴人家才有能力享用的物品，卻廣佈於社會中、下階層。2.傳統觀念中，女性是不可隨意拋頭露面的，如今卻濃妝翠珠、極盡豔麗的穿梭於街道間，展現華麗的衣裝。3.出現僭越的現象，例如富商模仿有功名者之服制。4.人們日常生活的消費，具有炫輝、比較與競爭的性質。5.人群之間的相互感染、仿效，造成暑靡風氣的擴散；但也有明顯的城鄉差異，城市奢華，村野儉樸。6.出現追求時繯的現象。7.外來商品成為奢侈消費的主要物品。8.地方官員的禁奢措施幾無成效。因此，臺灣人眾崇奢華的現象並非如前人所言於一八六○年開港通商之後才發生，而是在清襖即出現，且持續了整個清代。而臺民暑靡行為的發生可以由三個方面加以瞭解，第一、從原鄉傳入之風俗習慣與價值觀念，影響臺民的生活方式；第二、明鄭以來持續發展的民生經濟，以及海洋貿易帶來的豐厚利益，使人民擁有相當的財富，而得以展現奢靡的的生活方式；第三、臺灣為糧食產地，糧食價格較低，而且人們的收入較高，因此臺灣民有多餘的財務從事其它方面的高額消費。

Instead of beginning from 1869 A.D. with the opening of commercial ports as claimed in previous research, the emergence of the atmosphere of extravagance in Taiwan can be dated back to the early years when it became part of the Qing Empire. The prevailing sumptuous style of living continued to spread and last throughout the Qing rule. In those days, the general public led luxurious lives, and spent lavishly on food, clothing, housing, means of transportation, weddings and religious services. Features noted in the opulent lifestyle are as follows. (1) Extravagant pursuits that used to be exclusive for the upper class could be enjoyed by people of the middle and lower class. (2) Contrary to the traditional belief that female should not be allowed to go around and be seen in public at will, they now appeared in rich attire and heavy make-up everywhere on the streets. (3) Businesspersons tried to imitate the clothing style of those with official ranks. (4) People tended to show off , compare and compete in their daily consumption. (5) Peer influence and rivalry fostered the spread of the atmosphere of extravagance, widening the gap between the urban and rural areas. (6) Pursuit of fashions was prevalent among the public. (7) Imported goods were the main luxurious commodities for consumption. (8) Measures introduced by regional officials to curtail the widespread trend were proved to be futile. Reasons accounting for the emergence of such atmosphere of extravagance in Taiwan included (1) influence of the customary habits and value system of the Mainland immigrants, (2) wealth and prosperity brought by economic development since the Cheng era and thriving marine trade, and (3) Taiwan being the source of constant food supply at low price, thus enabling its residents to have higher disposable income with surplus wealth for luxurious consumption.