摩羯纹在中国的传播与兴衰

"摩羯"源于古印度,佛经翻译引入"摩羯鱼王"的概念不晚于三国时期。国内发现最早的摩羯纹来自北魏舶来之大夏银杯,最早的本土摩羯图像应是正定隆兴寺藏东魏至北齐佛造像背光线刻摩羯戏水。唐代佛教流行的"六拏具"与"天龙八部"图式中含摩羯,同期属于世俗装饰系统的陶瓷、金银器摩羯图案则经本土化发展为鲤鱼身形,其飞翅龙角的特征对辽人影响深切。北宋以后,占星算命成为显学,"摩羯命"导致人生困顿的说法流行,摩羯纹就此衰落。与此同时,受科举考试影响,民间孕育出了新的"鱼化龙纹",在磁州窑、耀州窑、景德镇窑的民用陶瓷产品中均有体现。

Makara Decorations in China

Makara originated in ancient India.The concept of"makara fish king"was introduced in Buddhist sutra translation in no later than the Three Kingdoms period.The earliest makara decoration in China appeared on an imported Bactrian silver cup of the Northern Wei dynasty.The earliest localized image of makara is probably the"makara in the lotus pool"design incised on the aureole of a Buddha in the Longxing Temple in Zhengding,Hebei province,which is dated to the Eastern Wei to Northern Qi period.In the Tang dynasty,makara was included in the popular Buddhist emblems of the"six sacred animals"(liunaju)and the"eight classes of divine beings"(tianlongbabu).At the same time,as a type of decoration on ceramics,gold and silver,makara was localized and developed to resemble a carp,of which the wings and dragon’s horns had far-reaching influences on the Liao dynasty.Beginning in the Northern Song,as astrology became fashionable,the concept of"makara fate"carried negative implications and resulted in the decline of makara decorations.Meanwhile,under the influence of imperial examinations,a new"fish dragon"decoration emerged,as can be seen on porcelain products from non-governmental kilns of Cizhou,Yaozhou and Jingdezhen.