Why did ancient literati have so many "characters" and "numbers" besides their names?
Most people nowadays have a "name" but no "word", so when we talk about "name", we usually refer to only the person's name, or given name. However, in ancient times, most people, especially officials and intellectuals, had both a "name" and a "character", and some people had a "number" in addition to their name and character.
(1) What is a name and a word?
The so-called "name" is a special name for an individual in society, that is, a symbol used by an individual in society. "Zi" is often the explanation and supplement of the name, and is the opposite of the "name", so it is also called "table character". "Book of Rites Tan Gong Shang" says: "Young name, crown character." "Shu" says: "You start adding names in the third month after birth, so it is said that you have a young name. At the age of twenty, you have the way to be a father. Friends and other categories cannot be repeated. When you call someone by his name, you add a name to him. "Also, "Yi Li·Shi Guan Li" says: "When you call someone by name, you give him a name, and others call him by name." It can be seen from this that the name is the name. Started in childhood, for the elders to call upon. When a man reaches adulthood at the age of twenty, he must hold a crowning ceremony, which marks that he will become an official and enter society. When a woman grows up, she has to leave her mother's home and be married. Those who are not married are called "Wei Zi" or "Wai Zi". When you get married at the age of fifteen, you will hold a haircut ceremony, and you will also have to pick a character for your friends to call you.
In ancient times, early personal names were generally very simple. For example, the personal names left by the Xia and Shang dynasties were named Kongjia, Lugui, Waibing, Yongji, Pangeng, Wuding, Xiaoxin, etc. The names of the stems and branches may be related to the people's concept of paying attention to time at that time. Later, with the advancement of society, the development of language and writing, and the strengthening of consciousness and concepts, people's names became more and more complex, and naming people became a science. When choosing a name, the connotation it contains must be carefully considered and considered repeatedly. "Zuo Zhuan·Huan Gong Sixth Year" records the five principles of naming in the Spring and Autumn Period: "There are five names: trust, righteousness, image, falsehood, and type." This is the answer to Duke Huan's question by Shen Ru, a senior official in the state of Lu. The name was mentioned at the time, which means: either based on the characteristics of the person's birth, or from several aspects such as admiring auspiciousness, supporting objects to symbolize aspirations, praising virtues, and reposing the expectations of the parents. He also put forward seven no’s: “Not based on the country, not based on the official, not based on the mountains and rivers, not based on the hidden diseases, not based on the animals, not based on the tools and coins”.
The ancients’ practice of attaching importance to meaning and connotation in naming has continued to this day for thousands of years. For boys and girls born due to their physiology. Their personalities and the careers they are going to engage in are different, so the names are also different. Men are often named with words that are mighty, brave, wise, strong and perseverant, while women are often named with words that are virtuous, beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.
In addition, naming also reflects the characteristics of the times. The Xia and Shang dynasties mentioned above are a typical example of their preference for using names of stems and branches. Later, in the long-term feudal society, the families of wealthy officials were mostly named after the meanings of loyalty, filial piety, good fortune, longevity, and prosperity, and promotion and wealth. Therefore, they were called benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, trust, blessing, virtue, longevity, and glory. There are particularly many people who are promoted, succeeded to their ancestors, honored their ancestors, and continued their lineage. Ordinary people also want to live a good life and hope to have more children and go to school, so they are called Fugui, Defu, Jincai, Zhixue, Ping'an, Changshun, Mancang, Mancun, Baocheng, Jinsuo, Shuanzhu and other names. Very many.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, many new names appeared, such as Jianguo, Aid Korea, Weiguo, Support the Army, Jianjun, Support Vietnam, Stay in the Soviet Union, Weidong, Red Guard, Cultural Revolution, Study and Work, Support Agriculture, etc. .
Since the opening up, there has been a rise in the use of foreign names. This is undesirable and cannot be promoted.
(2) What is the connection in meaning between the word for table and the name?
The ancients were very particular about choosing the word for table, and the situation was also very complicated. However, careful inspection, analysis, and research revealed that there are rules. Findable. For example, it is common to choose names according to the order of eldest and youngest brothers. For example, Confucius was the second eldest, so he was named Zhongni. He also had an elder brother who was named Meng Lai. The most typical one is Brother Sun from Soochow during the Three Kingdoms period. Sun Ce gave his eldest son the courtesy name Bo Fu; Sun Quan gave his second son the courtesy name Zhongmou; Sun Yi, the third oldest son, took the courtesy name Shubi; Sun Kuang ranked fourth and took the courtesy name Ji Zuo.
There are also many cases where the word "子" is used in the word "子", because "子" was a good name or honorific for men in ancient times.
So people like to use it, such as Kong Zhuang, whose courtesy name is Zisi; Zhong Yuan, whose courtesy name is Zi Lu; Sima Qian, whose courtesy name is Zichang; Cao Zhi, whose courtesy name is Zijian; Su Shi, whose courtesy name is Zizhan; Du Fu, whose courtesy name is Zimei; Yuan Mei, whose courtesy name is Zicai.
Although these expressions are common, they have little connection with the real name. In fact, Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji Hezi are not the real expressions, and the characters behind them are such as "ce" and "quan". ", "thinking", "long", "beautiful", etc. are the main components of the Chinese characters. This main component is related to the meaning of the real name, and they are introduced below:
1. The meaning is the same: that is, the word and the name have the same meaning, are connected, and are in a parallel relationship, so they are also called "parallel expressions". Such as:
Qu Ping, whose courtesy name is Yuan. Guangping said Yuan, meaning the same.
Yan Hui, courtesy name Ziyuan. Yuan, backwater, has the same meaning.
Jaiyu, courtesy name Ziwo. Yu, I also, have the same meaning.
Fan Xu, courtesy name Zichi. Xu and Chi both mean "to wait".
Zhang Heng, courtesy name Pingzi. Balance and balance have the same meaning.
Lu You, view of calligraphy. You and Guan have the same meaning.
Zeng Gong, courtesy name Zigu. Consolidation and solidification have the same meaning.
Ban Gu, also named Meng Jian. Strong and solid have the same meaning.
Meng Ke, courtesy name Ziyu. Ke and Yu are both chariots.
2． Similar meanings: that is, the words and names have similar meanings, but are not exactly the same. They can assist each other, which is called "auxiliary form". For example:
Liang Hong, whose courtesy name is Boluan. Luan and phoenix are both birds, but they are not the same species. Hongyan and Luanfeng can help each other.
Lu Ji, courtesy name Shiheng. Ji and Heng are both star names in Beidou, and they assist each other.
Zheng Qiao, Yu Yuzhong. The woodcutter is a firewood collector, and the fisherman is a fisherman. They are often partners and help each other.
Li Yu, courtesy name Li Weng. Fishermen often wear coir raincoats.
Chen Lin, courtesy name Kong Zhang. Lin and Zhang are both jade products and help each other.
3. Opposite meaning: that is, the meaning of the character and the name are opposite. This situation can be called a "contradiction", such as:
Zeng Dian, the character is Xi. The spots are black and the skin is white.
Zhu Xi, Yu Yuanhui. Xi is the dawn, Hui is the night.
Liu Guo, the name was changed. It's not a fault if you change it.
Wang Ji, named Wu Gong. Achievements and reactive efforts are exactly the opposite.
4. The meaning is consistent: that is, the word and the name often come from a sentence, the meaning is consistent, and the word supplements or modifies the meaning of the name. This situation can be called "expanded". For example:
Xu Qian has a long and long character. "Kong Congzi" said: "It is not that the body is great." The name and the character have the same meaning in one sentence, and the character provides a supplementary explanation to the name.
Cao Cao, courtesy name Mengde. "Xunzi Encouraging Learning" says: "Life depends on what is, and death depends on what is. This is called morality." In one sentence, the word and name combine to form morality, that is, moral conduct, and the word modifies the name. Explanations and additions.
Zhao Yun, courtesy name Zilong. "Book of Changes" says: "The clouds follow the dragon, the wind follows the tiger." The names and characters in one sentence have the same meaning.
Lu Yu, courtesy name Hongjian. "Book of Changes" states: "Hongjian can be used as a ritual in Lu Qiyu." This word explains the name.
Be wise and sincere in your words. "Book of Rites" says: "Sincerity means understanding." The name and the word are in one sentence, sincerity is the prerequisite for understanding, and understanding is the consequence of sincerity.
Yu Qian, also known as Tingyi. "Shangshu" says: "Modernness benefits." The name and the word are in one sentence, modesty is the prerequisite, and benefit is the consequence of modesty.
5． The meaning is extended: that is, the example means an extension of the meaning of the name. This situation can be called "extension". For example:
Li Bai, whose courtesy name is Taibai. Taibai refers to Taibai Venus, which is an extension of Taiyi.
Du Mu, also known as Muzhi. Muzhi means grazing, which extends the meaning of animal husbandry.
Yang Da, also known as Shida. Shi Da means Shi Jin, which further extends the meaning of Da.
Qiu Xi, courtesy name Yongxi. Yongxi is the provincial suffix of "Yongxi is hard to grow old". It comes from "The Book of Songs·Song of Lu" and extends the meaning of tin.
Lei Jianfu’s character is too simple. It also extends the emphasis on simplicity.
(3) How to address names and characters in ancient times
In ancient times, due to special emphasis on etiquette, the naming of names and characters was very particular. In interpersonal communication, first names are generally used as modesty, condescension, or as a term of address for superiors versus inferiors, or for seniors versus juniors. Peers only call each other by name when they are familiar with each other. In most cases, it is considered impolite to refer to each other or to be called by his or her first name. It is considered polite among peers to address each other by name. When you are writing or calling someone from a humble position to a superior, you can use names, but you can never use names, especially the names of the monarch or your own parents and elders. You cannot even mention the names of the monarch or your parents or elders. Otherwise, it will be "disrespectful" or "treasonous". ", so our country's unique "taboo" system came into being. I won’t talk about it here for now, but I’ll introduce it in detail below.
In ancient times, names and characters were used together to show respect. There are two situations that deserve our attention:
The first situation is that in the pre-Qin period, when the first name and the character were combined, the character should be used first and then the name. For example:
Kongfu Jia, the ancestor of Confucius in the Song Dynasty, "Kongfu" is the given name; "Jia" is the given name; and the surname is "Gongsun".
Shu Liang He (he), the father of Confucius, "He" is the given name; "Shu Liang" is the character; and the surname is "Kong".
Meng Mingshi, Baili Xi's son, "Shi" is his given name; "Meng Ming" is his given name; and his surname is "Baili".
Xiqishu, the son of Uncle Jian, "Shu" is the given name; "Xiqi" is the character; and the surname is "Jian".
Bai Yi Bing is the son of Uncle Jian. "Bing" is his given name; "Bai Yi" is his given name; his surname is "Jian".
The second situation is that after the Han Dynasty, when names are called together, "name" is used first and then "zi". For example:
"Kong Rong of Lu State was awarded the literary examination, Guangling Chen Lin and Kong Zhang, Shanyang Wang Can Zhongxuan, Beihai Xu Qianwei Chang, Chen Liu Ruan Yu Yuan Yu, Runan Yingchang Dejin, Dongping Liu Zhengongqian...· ·" This is a passage in Cao Pi's "Dian Lun·Wen", which mentions that the names of the "Seven Sons of Jian'an" are consecutively called first and then by their given names.
(4) Nicknames
In ancient times, some people also had "numbers" in addition to their names and characters. No. is another name for a person, so it is also called "alias". The number is very practical. In addition to being called by people, it is also used as a signature for articles, books, calligraphy and paintings. Such as Lu Tong's "Collected Poems of Yuchuanzi", Du Mu's "Collected Works of Fanchuan", "Six-body Thousand-Character Essay of Songxue", Lao Lian's "Lotus and Mandarin Ducks", etc. If we are not familiar with the nicknames of ancient literary writers, it will be difficult to know who the authors of these works are. Therefore, for ancient literati and writers, we must not only know their names and surnames, but also remember their nicknames.
1. The origin of the trumpet
There is no detailed record in the literature about when the trend of trumpeting originated. It probably started during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Such nicknames as "Laodan" and "Guiguzi" can be regarded as the earliest nicknames in my country. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Tao Yuanming called himself "Mr. Wuliu". In the Southern and Northern Dynasties, more people gave themselves nicknames. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, it became a common trend. In the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, it reached its peak. Not only did everyone have a nickname, but one person could have many nicknames. . For example, the Ming Dynasty painter Chen Hongxu had four nicknames: "Lao Lian", "Lao Chi", "Hui Chi", and "Yunmen Monk". Until modern times, the trend of using nicknames has not declined, such as Su Xuanying's nickname "Manshu"; Qi Su's nickname "Baishi"; and He Xiangning's nickname "Shuangqing Louzhu". Since modern times, literati's nicknames have gradually been replaced by pen names.
2． How the "Hao" is formed
There are two situations in which the "Hao" is formed:
① It is given by the user himself. The middle and upper class figures in feudal society, especially the literati, always liked to give themselves names. Precisely because the "Hao" is chosen by oneself, it is not restricted by family, patriarchal clan, etiquette and seniority like a name or a given name. It can freely express and flaunt the user's ambitions and interests. Therefore, many names have appeared. There are many different nicknames, but after careful analysis and in-depth investigation, some unique characteristics can still be summarized:
A, a distinctive mark of the times, such as:
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Buddhism was popular in our country and had a profound influence on the middle and upper-class intellectuals, so many people took the title of "lay Buddhist".
Li Bai was called "Qinglian layman"; Bai Juyi called himself "Xiangshan layman"; Su Shi was called "Dongpo layman"; Fan Chengda was called "Shihu layman"; Li Qingzhao was called "Yi'an layman".
In the Yuan Dynasty, Taoism was advocated, and many literati took the title "Taoist". For example, Feng Zizhen was nicknamed "Weird Taoist"; Qiao Ji was nicknamed "Xingxing Taoist"; Ren Renfa was nicknamed "Mingshan Taoist"; Wu Zhen was nicknamed "Plum Blossom Taoist"; Zhao Mengfu was nicknamed "Taoist Xuesong".
After the Opium War, imperialist aggression and the Qing government’s corruption and incompetence caused national suffering and national crisis. Opposing aggression and being patriotic and striving for strength became the main theme at that time, so many people named themselves according to this tune. For example, Tan Sitong was nicknamed "Beifei"; Huang Shaobei was nicknamed "Descendant of the Yellow Emperor"; Chen Tianhua was nicknamed "Si Huang"; Qiu Jin was nicknamed "Jingxiong", etc.
B, strong lyrical color, such as:
Song Dynasty Zheng Sixiao, who lived in seclusion in Suzhou after the death of Song Dynasty, named himself "Suonan" to show that he did not forget the Song Dynasty; poet Xin Qiji , attached great importance to agriculture. When he was an official, he advocated cultivating the fields and rewarded farming. In his later years, he retired to the countryside and "learned farming from the old farmers" and called himself "Jia Xuan"; the patriotic poet Lu You was concerned about the world and cynical, and was ridiculed by the powerful as "not good at farming". In order to abide by the etiquette and laws, he called himself "Fang Weng" to express his contempt for them; in his later years, Ouyang Xiu called himself "Jiushi Jushi", and named himself "Liu Yi Jushi" after 10,000 volumes of books, 1,000 volumes of inscriptions, a harp, a game of chess, A pot of wine, plus an old man himself to take the title, expresses the typical literati sentiment; Tang Bohu, a romantic and talented man in the Ming Dynasty, called himself "Liu Ru Jushi". "Six Such", according to his own words, life is like an illusion, like a dream, like a bubble, like a shadow, like dew, and like electricity. It happened to be an expression of the negative emotions of frustrated literati; the poet Yang Wanli of the Southern Song Dynasty was nicknamed "Chengzhai" because Zhang Jun, the famous anti-gold general, once encouraged him with "righteousness and sincerity", and Emperor Guangzong personally wrote the word "Chengzhai" to him. Such "sincerity" not only shows his "sincerity" in study, but also includes his "sincerity" to the country.
C, profound meaning
Zhu Da, a painter in the late Ming Dynasty, was nicknamed "Bada Shanren" when the Ming Dynasty fell. The two characters "Bada" are written in succession, which seems to be crying but not crying, and seems to be smiling but not smiling. It expresses the sadness and indignation of missing the motherland. Fu Shan, a famous scholar in Taiyuan in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, called himself "Taoist Zhu Yi". After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, he wore red clothes and lived in a cave. The Qing government invited him to Beijing several times to take the Bo Xue Hong Ci examination, but he refused every time and refused to cooperate with the Manchus. "Zhuyi" looks red on the surface, but it is actually a symbol of the Ming Dynasty, because the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was named Zhu, and red means Ming, which embodies deep feelings for the Ming Dynasty. Dai Fuxu, a poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, called himself "Shipingshan native", which also embodies a kind of spirit. It can be seen from the poems he wrote. The poem "Ganyu" says: "People will build a golden dock, and I will use stone as a screen." "Stone" is as hard as "gold"; although "stone" is not as expensive as "gold", it is simple, clumsy and magnificent. Feng, this is exactly the portrayal of the author's personality and spirit. Zhang Yong, a poet in the Northern Song Dynasty, nicknamed himself "Guaiyazi". In his own words: "Being good will go against the public, and cliffs are not good for things. The name Guaiya is a symbol of virtue." It can be seen that the name "Guaiyazi" embodies His character, ambition, and conduct.
Ding, the use of specific nouns
The ancients often used some specific nouns when giving nicknames.
Such as "official title":
Du Gongbu, Du Shiyi (Du Fu) Wang Youcheng (Wang Wei)
Cai Zhonglang (Cai Yong) Sanlu doctor (Qu Yuan)
Jia Taifu (Jia Yi) Zhang Yangong (Zhang Yue)
Gao Changshi (Gao Shi) Zhang Cibu (Zhang Ji)
Qian Kaogong (Qian Qi) Zhang Siye (Zhang Ji) )
For example, it is called "Diwang":
Du Shaoling (Du Fu) Han Changli (Han Yu)
Liu Hedong (Liu Zongyuan) Kong Beihai (Kong Rong)
Cen Jiazhou (Cen Can) Bai Xiangshan (Bai Juyi)
Wang Jiangning (Wang Changling) Jia Changjiang (Jia Dao)
Wei Suzhou (Wei Yingwu) Liu Suizhou (Liu Changqing)
In this way, "Guanjue" and "Diwang" have become another nickname besides the name, character and title.
(6) Rare numerical names
In ancient my country, some people used numbers as their names. Although the number was not large, they were encountered in ancient books, so here we need Mention it, bring it to our attention. There are three situations where numbers are used as names:
1. The surname is numerical, such as:
Yishan: A native of Dingzhou, Hebei during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, he once served as the magistrate of Haoming County.
Erzhi: During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, he served as a lieutenant in the palace.
March 8: In the Yuan Dynasty, he was appointed Youcheng of Yunnan Province.
Wuliang: A native of Annan, he served as an admonishment official in the Shu Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms.
Qixixian: A native of Shizhou Wei, he served as a tutor in Yongchun County during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty.
Batong: During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, he served as the director of the Ministry of Rites.
Jiujia: A native of Xiajin in the Tang Dynasty, he was a Hanlin scholar during the reign of Emperor Gaozu Wude.
Shihua: Jinshi during the Qianxing period of the Song Dynasty.
2． The name is numerical, such as:
Qin Qi: Qin Shaoyou
Huang Ba: Huang Tingjian
Liu Ba: Liu Zongyuan
Yuan Jiu: Yuan Zhen
Cui Jiu: Cui Xingzong
Li Shiyi: Li Gouzhi
Zhang Twelve: Zhang Jia
Li Twelve : Li Bai
Han Shiba: Han Yu
Li Twenty: Li Shen
Bai Twenty-two: Bai Juyi
3. The surname and first name are both numbers, such as:
Six-seventeenth: A native of the Qing Dynasty, the author of "The Poetry of Traveling to Foreign Countries" and "Miscellaneous Odes of Taiyang".
July 11: Jinshi during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, author of "Records of Hearings and Seeings of the Western Regions".
8.16: General named during the Qianlong period.
Nine and tenth: During the Jiaqing period, he became the admiral of Guangxi.
Using numbers as names became a trend in the Tang Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, the Manchus preferred this way of naming. According to incomplete statistics, there were 110 numerals written into official history books during the Qianlong period alone, and the folk names were not included among them. Such as sixty-seven, seventy-five, eighty-six, etc. So what are these numerical names based on? Most of the time, when a child is born, the child's name is based on the age of his grandparents or the sum of his parents' ages.
In the Tang Dynasty, those numerical names represented the ranking between brothers with the same grandparents or the same great-grandparents