李山：如何从《诗经》读懂三千年前的年味？

Core Viewpoint - The interview with Professor Li Shan highlights the cultural significance of the "Book of Songs" (Shijing) in understanding the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, tracing its origins back to the Zhou Dynasty over three thousand years ago [1][2]. Group 1: Overview of the "Book of Songs" - The "Book of Songs" is a literary and cultural classic of China, comprising 305 poems from approximately 500 years, covering themes such as agriculture, feasting, warfare, and marriage, providing a panoramic view of early Chinese society [3]. - It serves as a foundational text for Chinese poetry, influencing later literary forms such as Tang poetry and Song lyrics, and is considered a cultural treasure that records many traditional practices [3]. Group 2: Reflections on New Year Traditions - The "Book of Songs" reflects various aspects of the New Year, including the concept of moderation in celebration, as seen in the poem "Cricket" which emphasizes enjoying life without excess [4][5]. - Significant year-end rituals included large-scale ancestor worship, with the most important celebration being the "wax festival," where music and offerings were made to agricultural deities [5]. - The poem "Bountiful Year" describes the practice of using new harvests to brew wine for ancestral offerings, highlighting the connection between agricultural success and festive celebrations [5]. Group 3: Cultural Symbolism of Horses - Horses are a vital cultural symbol in the "Book of Songs," appearing in over 50 poems and representing power, talent, and national strength, with detailed descriptions of various horse breeds [9][10]. - The poem "The Galloping Horse" is noted as the earliest dedicated horse poem in Chinese literature, celebrating the strength and beauty of horses as a reflection of national prosperity [9]. - The association of horses with the concept of "Wu Ma" (noon horse) in the "Book of Songs" marks an early connection to the Chinese zodiac, emphasizing the cultural significance of horses beyond mere transportation [10]. Group 4: Global Influence and Reception - The "Book of Songs" has a long history of overseas transmission, having been introduced to regions like Vietnam and Japan as early as the 3rd century, and has been translated into multiple languages, becoming a significant text in global sinology [12]. - Its core themes of human relationships and nature distinguish it from Western literary works, focusing on the essence of life and human emotions rather than warfare [13].