從考古遺存論中國古代西南文化的神樹崇拜及其相關信仰

Tree Worship and Related Issues-in the Material Cultures of Ancient Southwest China

神樹崇拜在中國古文獻中有諸多記載，至今在西南各族群的民俗活動中仍可看到一些蛛絲馬跡，而當前的考古遺存則進一步提供了切確的物證。根據目前的研究資料，西南考古遺址出土的樹形及類似的柱狀物實為原始社會祭拜地母的孑遺。其成因與古人信奉自然界的神靈相關。基於此因，史前公社裡供奉的社稷之樹便成了原始宗教系統裡的一種典範，進而在西南的歷史演繹及各地社會分化的過程中衍生出各種不同形制的神樹崇拜以及相關的信仰。

Veneration of deified trees, a subject frequently included in old Chinese texts, has left perceptible signs in the religious practice of ethnic minorities in southwestern China of today. It also finds visual evidence in archaeological discoveries, in which metal objects in the shape of trees or pillar-like designs suggest worship of deities related to the Mother Nature. All these point to the possibility that tree worship has been an important theme in the religious practice of southwestern China since ancient time.In the history of southwestern cultures that incorporated affinities from different sources, this distinct ancient belief is expressed in various forms of tree worship as well as in comparable religious activities.