《太平广记》虎故事中“虎皮”的文化隐喻

The Cultural Symbolism of “Tiger Skin” in Tiger Stories from Taiping Guangji

摘要: 本文以《太平广记》虎故事中的“虎皮”母题为核心，结合“天鹅处女型”全球叙事母题的中国化演变，探讨其文化隐喻的多重维度。通过分析“虎皮”作为人虎互化媒介的象征意义，揭示其背后的原始思维、伦理张力及文学范式创新。研究发现，“虎皮”母题不仅是原始信仰的文学遗存，更通过与本土伦理体系的融合，形成了独特的变形叙事范式，为理解中国古代动物变形故事的文化基因提供了新视角。

Abstract: This paper centers on the motif of “tiger skin” in tiger stories from Taiping Guangji and, in conjunction with the Sinicized evolution of the global narrative motif of the “Swan Maiden,” explores the multiple dimensions of its cultural symbolism. By analyzing the symbolic significance of “tiger skin” as a medium for the mutual transformation between humans and tigers, the study reveals the underlying primitive thinking, ethical tensions, and innovations in literary paradigms. The research finds that the “tiger skin” motif is not only a literary remnant of primitive beliefs but also, through its integration with the local ethical system, forms a unique paradigm of metamorphosis narrative. This provides a new perspective for understanding the cultural DNA of ancient Chinese animal metamorphosis stories.