英文摘要 |
The word “□” (She) has never been adopted in classics and other literature. Previously, scholars could discuss the word only by resting upon the explanation offered by Shuowen Jiezi, and it was quite difficult to make plausible interpretations on this word due to the limitations on available references. The newly unearthed Chu Slips indicated the usage of “□”, and therefore serve as a great boon to scholars nowadays who are interested in this topic. By reference to the Chu Slips that recorded the mortuary objects in coffin chambers, some scholars argued that “□” is interchangeable with “韘” (She), namely the leather-made finger tab for archery. This article further proved this argument as cogent by referring to the word “□” in oracle inscriptions. In addition, this article charted two paths of character transition, that is, “□—□” (She) and “□、□—□—□” (You), thereby indicating that the word “□” in Chu Slips was derived from the two paths of transition. Moreover, by re-examining the meaning of “assistance” implied by the verse that “your friends assist at the service, having done their part with reverent demeanor” in Chapter Ji Zuei, the part of Major Court Hymns, Classic of Poetry, this article argues that the original character of “攝” (She) in the verse should be “□”, a verbalized concept of gloves that carries the meaning of “restraint” and therefore can be extended to imply “rectification.” |