On The "water" In The Classics Before Qin Dynasty

Water is one of the most important images in Chinese philosophic and literary works, and lots of discussions have been made at its connotation and signification. Absorbing the theory of Original Image in the western literary theories and the theory of Image in Chinese literary theories, this thesis makes a systemic research at this image in the classics before Qin Dynasty, try to find out the relations between the original image and the realistic functions of water, the relations between the original image of water and the original religion and folk-custom, to find out how this image has come into being and developed from the physical properties and realistic functions of water. The culture before Qin Dynasty is the headstream and also the most active part of Chinese culture, and as a mater of fact, the connotation and extension of water have finalized its design almost before Qin Dynasty. So we can find out the origin of water image and grasp this image roundly by researching it in the classics before Qin Dynasty.