《荊楚歲時記》中的人日節俗論略

Brief Elaboration on Ritual and Custom of Man-day in “Annual Ritual Chronicle in Southern China”

《荊楚歲時記》是中國最早的歲時民俗專著，詳載南北朝時期荊楚地區年初至歲末的節慶活動，此書對於「人日」節俗之記錄，是目前所見文獻中較早且較完整者，故本文將論述之重心集中於該書所述。人日節慶流行於魏晉南北朝，歷來對於節日來源之討論，主要有「七日造人」和「歲首占候」兩派意見，二說皆突顯人與數字「七」之關聯，亦強調人於大化流行中的主導性地位。其次，魏晉南北朝的人日禮俗活動，主要有三個面向：占候卜問來事、辟邪祈福之俗、節慶賦詩娛樂，呈現此際之節日文化具有五項特徵：楚地巫風遺緒、重視家庭團聚、娛樂性質增加、南北文化合流、工藝技術發達。最末，人日於清代漸趨沒落，忖思其因可能為：巫術色彩濃厚、對象未能普羅、節俗併於他日。人日於當代雖鮮為人知，然吾人透過《荊楚歲時記》的文獻記載，除了對魏晉南北朝的民俗有進一步的認識之外，更應體悟先人珍惜生命、尊重自我的精神，並以之落實於現實生活與生命教育中，才能達到人之身為人的意義。

“Annual ritual chronicle in Southern China” is the earliest special publication of China that sets down annual rituals and customs, and it has detailed record of annual rituals and customs from the start of the year to year-end within southern China during Six-dynasty. It is considered as the rather early and comprehensive text that has elaborated record on rituals and customs of “Man-day” among literatures seen, and this article would focus its elaboration on the text of the book. The celebration of “Man-day” was found popular during Six-dynasty, and there are mainly, for discussions on the source of “Man-day,” two schools of opinions with regard to “Creation of Man in 7 Days” and “Fortune-telling at Beginning of Year.” Both have illustrated the connection of man to “number,” and it also stresses the leading position of Dahua Transformation. In addition, the ritual events on man-day during Six-dynasty of Wei and Jing can be found in three aspects, fortune-telling to inquire approaching events, custom warding off evil and asking for blessing, and creating poetry for entertainment during festivals, thus demonstrating five features of this festive culture as: remnants of sorcery in southern China, focus of family reunion, increase of entertaining feature, confluence of southern and northern culture, and development of handicraft. At the end, man-day has gradually been faded out mainly because its sorcery color has been too strong so that its targets cannot be expanded, and ritual of the festival was merged into other festival. Though man-day is not that popular at the time, we can still, come to know through the literature record of “annual ritual chronicle of southern China.” As such, we can, on one hand, have further knowledge for folk customs during Six-dynasty, but appreciate the spirit how our forefathers cherish life and respect themselves as we realize in our practical life before can achieve the meaning as why man can be man.