关于“四大美人”的历史思考

“四大美人”史有其人,而非纯粹传说中的历史人物。后世文人以“四大美人”为题材所塑造的种种艺术形象,是“四大美人”从历史走向民间并受到百姓喜爱的重要原因。“四大美人”的艺术形象、民间传说和史籍记载均有一定出入,反映了中国老百姓对“四大美人”的关爱。同时也可看出,尽管在几千年的封建社会中,封建统治者制定了一套严格的封建伦理道德规范,而老百姓却有着自己的审美标准：即美人之美能对国家和社会作出贡献,美人之美能和重大的历史事件紧密联系,她们的美才能得到社会的认可。

Some Historical Thoughts on "The Four Beauties

This article mainly presents the writer's following opinions on" the Four Beauties": according to the historical records, the "Four Beauties" were real persons, not legendary characters; it was the artistic polishing of the writers from generation to generation that had made the four beauties loved by common People and coming from history to the folks' world i the discrepancy between the historical records and the artistic creation of folklores shows people's love of the four beauties; from this love we can see the people's aesthetic view and their choice of value.