中国祆教艺术中的犬神形象

琐罗亚斯德教(Zoroastrianism)教徒对犬具有特殊的感情,在他们的日常生活和宗教礼仪中,犬都占据着重要的地位。本文以国内最新发现的祆教考古材料为基础,集中讨论了古代祆教艺术中的犬神形象。作者将祆教犬神形象分成三秧:普通犬神、带翼犬神、森穆夫或犬首鸟,对流传中国的祆教犬神形象进行了梳理,期望对研究祆教文化的传播、交流有所补益。

Images of a Canine Deity in Chinese Zoroastrian Art

Zoroastrians held the dog in high regard, and in their daily life and religious practices the dog also occupied a significant place. On the basis of archaeological materials of Xianjiao (Zoroastrianism or Mazdaism) newly discovered in China, the author presents a discussion of canine images in ancient Xianjiao art, and distinguishes three types of canine image that appear in the Chinese materials: ordinary images of a canine deity; a winged canine deity; and the senmurv or dog-headed bird deity. These may cast light on the process of Zoroastrianism transmission and cultural interchange.