論「刻漏」文至宋代所演變出的「秩序與法度」內涵

On the Connotations of“Order and Rule”that Evolved from the Writings of“Clepsydra”in the Song Dynasty

「刻漏」是古代的主要計時儀器，以水的均勻流量顯示當下的時刻，而歷代科學家，為了使刻漏之水能夠均量等速，依序發展出「沉箭漏」、「浮箭漏」以及「秤漏」等型制，成為刻漏的演進變化。同時，以「刻漏」為主題的作品相繼出現，而多以「賦」或「銘」進行頌讚或警戒，表現出對刻漏精準計時的讚嘆，以及對時光流逝的自我提醒。而至宋代，此一情況產生變化，「刻漏」文中出現更深層次的歷史、政治以及哲思內涵，筆者覺得值得進一步討論思考。因此，本文將分為三大部分進行討論：第一，根據宋代「刻漏記、銘」中的歷史背景，整理出燕肅「蓮花漏」推行過程中被忽略的歷史，以補充前人研究中較少探及的部分，整理出「蓮花漏」從發明、測驗、推廣，直到各處沿用的歷史面貌。第二，從「地方刻漏」的修築紀錄中，尋找宋代地方官員如何看待修築刻漏的意義，其中包含對「中央」至「地方」的政治秩序思考，以及宋人如何看待「曆法」與「計時工具」之間的關係。第三，以蘇軾、歐陽守道以及虞兟對刻漏的議論，探討宋人究竟如何看待刻漏背後的哲思內涵，期望以此延伸至刻漏作品中的「文體」轉換問題，以及宋代文學特色的相關討論。

The“clepsydra”（刻漏）served as the principal water-powered timekeeping device in ancient China, measuring time through the regulated flow of water. In pursuit of greater accuracy, successive generations of engineers and craftsmen developed a series of increasingly sophisticated designs, including the sinking-arrow clepsydra（沉箭漏）, floating-arrow clepsydra（浮箭漏）, and balance clepsydra（秤漏）, thereby illustrating the technological evolution of the clepsydra. At the same time, the clepsydra became an important literary subject. Writers frequently composed fu (rhapsodies) and ming (inscriptions) to celebrate its precision as a timekeeping instrument while also using it as a vehicle for moral reflection on the transience of time. During the Song dynasty, however, writings on the clepsydra acquired broader historical, political, and philosophical significance. Rather than merely praising the instrument itself, these texts increasingly employed it as a medium for reflecting upon political order, institutional governance, and intellectual inquiry. This transformation merits closer scholarly examination.. This situation changed during the Song Dynasty（宋代）, with deeper historical, political, and philosophical implications emerging in clepsydra texts. I believe this topic warrants further discussion and reflection. Therefore, this article will be divided into three main parts. First, drawing on the historical context found in Song Dynasty clepsydra records and inscriptions, this article will explore the neglected history of Yan Su（燕肅）'s promotion of the Lotus Clepsydra（蓮花漏）, supplementing previous research that has underexplored this aspect. This article will outline the historical development of the Lotus Clepsydra, from its invention, testing, promotion, and widespread use. Second, from records of the construction of local clepsydras, this article will explore how local officials in the Song Dynasty viewed the significance of clepsydra construction, including reflections on the political order from the central government to the local governments, and how the Song people viewed the relationship between the calendar and timekeeping instruments. Third, drawing on the discussions of clepsydras by Su Shi（蘇軾）, Ouyang Shou-dao（歐陽守道）, and Yu Qi（虞兟）, this article will explore how the Song people viewed the philosophical implications of the clepsydra. This research will hopefully extend to the issue of literary style shifts in clepsydra works and the related discussion of the characteristics of Song Dynasty literature.