Li Bai and Qiang culture

Abstract

Previous studies have attempted to unveil the mystery of Li Bai from various perspectives. This paper tries to reveal Li Bai’s uniqueness by considering his family roots and his immersion in Qiang culture in his early childhood. The fact that Li Bai uses the word bai 白 (white) frequently in his poems and that he often thinks of the legend of Ge You, goat rider, demonstrate that he is deeply influenced by the Qiang people and their culture. The reason why he longed day and night to visit the immortals in the grottos of the mountains in Yue is also related to Qiang culture. Taoism was derived from the funeral customs of the Qiang people, and hence the depictions about Chisongzi who rose up to heaven in purple haze in Li Bai’s poems show how immense the influence of the regional culture of Shu and Qiang culture on Li Bai was. In addition, the music he enjoyed and the dance he performed are also closely associated with those of Qiang people.

摘要

以往的研究曾试图从多方面揭开李白之谜, 但从其家庭出身及童年受羌族文化浸润的角度来研究李白的独特之处, 却鲜有人涉及。 李白的诗中经常出现 “白” 字, 而且屡屡提及骑羊子葛由的传说, 说明其受羌族及其文化影响之深。 李白日夜渴望游访越地的仙洞, 也与羌族文化有关。 道教起源于羌族的葬礼, 李白诗中赤松子驾紫气升天的描写, 说明蜀羌的地域文化对其影响之深远。 另外, 李白喜欢的歌舞也与羌族歌舞关系密切。