從《牧牛圖》看近現代越南人對生活的想像

Modern Vietnamese People’s Imagination of Life: As Seen from the Picture of Buffalo-Herding

本文解讀東湖畫裡很受歡迎的一個圖像（東湖畫以描繪農家日常、刻劃生活百態而馳名）。畫中有一頭年輕的牛，牛背上有個牧童，牧童在吹笛子，他的座下有蓮花，頭上撐著大片蓮葉。這個圖像原本用於農曆新年期間，家家戶戶張貼於屋宇、彼此祝福；雖然看似平淡無奇，然而它的背後深具意涵。因為圖中各元件象徵性地指涉了行進中、具前景的農業經濟；期待子嗣出生並獲致一定地位、子嗣具道德操守、樂觀向上，在勞動之餘能享受藝文，也懂得追求安全保障及天地陰陽的和諧。 這個圖像把農家日常生活的重要部份給描畫出來，並把他們的盼望給呈現出來。根據越南百姓（過去大多為農民）的經驗，世間有不少苦難，他們常常辛勤耕耘、終年勞碌，卻往往活在吃不飽的邊緣。因此他們不求大富大貴，他們只想要牢靠的經濟、安全穩定的糧食供應、平安健康的日子、簡單的幸福、有希望的未來而已。這可說是微薄的要求，但這卻是因緣和合、各種條件具足之後才可達成的，並非經常或輕易能享受到的。縱然《牧牛圖》看來又小又簡單，可是它隱含著近現代越南人對生活的想像，也蘊藏了他們的價值觀。它是可以欣賞的作品，可作為新生代的教材，其所表彰的美德也可說是教育者對國人的期待。

This paper aims to interpret a folk picture of Vietnam. It is one of the most popular pictures of Dong Ho, which are famous for depicting various forms of the daily lives of farmers. The picture shows a young buffalo with a herd boy on its back, playing a flute, with lotus flowers under his seat and a large lotus leaf on his head. The picture was originally used during the period of Lunar New Year, when families posted it on their houses and wished each other well. Although it may seem banal, abundant meanings within it. It symbolically refers to a progressive and promising agricultural economy, to the expectation of descendants will be born and achieve a certain status, and they will have moral integrity, will enjoy art while working, and will know the ways to seek security, the harmony of heaven and earth, and of yin and yang. Creators of the picture depict part of daily life of the farmers and presents their hopes. In the experiences of the Vietnamese people (mostly farmers in the past), there are many hardships in the world, and they often work hard and toil for years, but often live on the edge of not having enough to eat. Therefore, the farmers just want little more than a secure economy, a safe and stable supply of food, a safe and healthy life, simple happiness, and a hopeful future. These can be considered simple and humble expectations, but these are not something that can be enjoyed easily or usually. Even though the picture looks small and simple, it implies the imagination of modern Vietnamese people and their values. It is a work that can be appreciated, can be regarded as a teaching material for the new generations; the virtues it honors can be said to be the expectations of educators for the nation.