緯書書名臆解稿

An Interpretation of the Titles of Wei Books

讖緯之學，在漢代被視為攸關天道奧秘的「內學」，為漢人思想的重要組成部分，然因其書名怪誕，意義難明，對後人了解讖緯之本質不免造成障礙。本文以漢代流行的七經、《河》《雒》之緯的書名為研究對象，試圖結合經書文本、漢代流行思想及相關史實，剖析緯書書名的隱微蘊意。通過釋題不難發現：緯書書題大體根基於經書文本與陰陽、五行、占星等數術之學，同時涉及時政，多與聖人受命、王朝興替有關。綜合題名之義，可知緯書的本質主要為預言。此種預言之書對當時政治存在實際影響，這也是儒門說經、宣教的重要方法。

In the Han dynasty, the study of Chenwei was regarded as a matter of the esoteric scholarship relating to the mystery of the Tao, and it was an important component of the ideology of the time. However, the titles of Wei Books are bizarre and ambiguous, so that it always been difficult for later generations to understand the nature of Chenwei. This paper takes the titles of Wei Books, including seven classical texts popular in the Han dynasty, He and Luo, as research subjects and attempts to analyze the implications of these titles by considering the texts of classical books, popular ideology of the Han dynasty, and other relevant historical context. According to this interpretation, it is not difficult to find that the titles of Wei Books are mainly based on the texts of classical books and on numerology, including Yin-Yang, The Five Elements, astrology, and so on, while at the same time influenced by current politics, sage orders, and the transfer of dynasties. In conclusion, the essence of Wei Books lies mainly in prophecy. Such prophetic books had a practical influence on the politics of the time, and this influence was an important method for Confucianists to explain the classics and publicize their thoughts.