再释“中国”——中国国号承载的民族精神探析
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作者单位:

辽宁师范大学 历史文化学院,辽宁 大连 116081

作者简介:

常志浩,历史学博士,辽宁师范大学历史文化学院讲师,Email:571213971@qq.com
李玉君,历史学博士,辽宁师范大学副校长、历史文化学院院长,Email:liyujun46@163.com。

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中图分类号:

K092

基金项目:

国家社会科学基金重大招标项目“中国古代北方游牧民族与中原农耕民族交融史研究”(17ZDA177)


Reinterpreting China: An analysis of the national spirit embodied in the country’s name
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School of History and Culture, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, P. R. China

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    摘要:

    “中国”这一国号看似简单明了,实则含义隽永、意味深长。其内涵符合《周易》哲学体系的核心概念——“三易”原则。作为语言文字的“中国”是一种“变易”的概念,在我国古代历史中,“中国”一词具有京师、王畿、天子辖区、都城、国中、中原地区、地处中原的国家、诸夏、传承华夏文明的国家、我国古代政权的美称、高级政治中心以及历史性“中国”等多重内涵;作为政权称谓的“中国”是一种“简易”的象征,“中国”一词最基础、最核心的涵义是以“天命”思想为指导,构建“内中华而外夷狄”的天下秩序中的“高级政治中心”,其他所有义项都可视为这一涵义的演化、引申或应用,而“中国”也就自然成为事实上具有,抑或自认为具有尊崇政治地位的古代政权的代称或自称;作为精神纽带的“中国”是一种“不易”的基因,作为“天下秩序”中的“高级政治中心”,“中国”必须自觉承担起引领文明前进、教化四方、传播文化的责任。因而,自强与担当也逐渐熔铸于“中国”符号之中,并成为推动周边少数民族文化渐次内聚,与中原农耕文明交融互进的内在向心力。“中国”之号的变易、简易与不易,其文字内涵是与时俱进而变化者,其国号内涵是可删繁就简而归纳者,其精神内涵是始终如一而不变者。这种变或不变,均与古代民族之间的交融活动紧密相关:民族间的交融活动夯实了国号里的民族精神,国号里的民族精神引领着民族间的交融活动,最终形成了一个统一的多民族的中国。至于今日,“中国”国号所承载的自强与担当,仍是引领中国发展,乃至人类命运共同体构建的精神动力。

    Abstract:

    The national title "Zhongguo" (China) appears straightforward at first glance, yet carries profound and multilayered connotations. Its essence aligns with the core concept of the "Three Transformations" principle in the Yijing. As a linguistic concept, the term "Zhongguo" embodies fluidity in meaning. Throughout ancient Chinese history, it encompassed diverse interpretations: the imperial capital, royal domains, territories under the Son of Heaven, the Central Plains regions, states inheriting Huaxia civilization, honorific titles for ancient regimes, and a historical-geographical concept of China.As a political symbol, "Zhongguo" represents a simplified political ideal rooted in the "Mandate of Heaven" (Tianming). It denotes a superior political center within the traditional "All-under-Heaven" (Tianxia) order, structured around the principle of "civilized central states versus peripheral barbarians" (nei Zhonghua er wai Yidi). All other interpretations derive from this foundational concept, making "Zhongguo" a self-referential title for regimes claiming or possessing elevated political status.As a spiritual bond, "Zhongguo" constitutes an immutable cultural gene. As the superior political center in the Tianxia framework, it assumed responsibility for civilizational leadership, cultural dissemination, and moral stewardship. Consequently, the ethos of self-strengthening and historical mission became ingrained in the "Zhongguo" identity, fostering a centripetal force that facilitated cultural integration between the Central Plains agrarian civilization and surrounding ethnic groups. The evolution of "Zhongguo" reflects dynamic textual interpretations, streamlined political essences, and enduring spiritual continuity. This dialectic of change and constancy intertwines with ancient ethnic integration: cross-cultural interactions enriched the national spirit embedded in the title, while the title itself guided integration processes, ultimately forging a unified, multi-ethnic China. Today, the ideals of self-reliance and global responsibility inherent in "Zhongguo" remain vital spiritual forces driving China's development and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

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常志浩,李玉君.再释“中国”——中国国号承载的民族精神探析[J].重庆大学学报社会科学版,2025,31(3):172-184. DOI:10.11835/j. issn.1008-5831. rw.2025.04.001

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  • 在线发布日期: 2025-07-15
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