Journal paper

Issue No.	VOL.46（Autumn）
Title	An Intertextual Study of “Plants” and “Goddess – Beauties” in Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties Ci-Fu
Author	GYO, ZHANG-YU
Page	1～34
Abstract	This paper explores the phenomenon of intertextuality in two categories of Ci-Fu(辭賦) from the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties: “Plants” and “Goddess – Beauties.” First, influenced by ancient immortalist thought, both plants and Goddess – Beauties, as portrayed by Ci-Fu writers, possess a transcendent sanctity. In the Ci-Fu of the Six Dynasties, both plants and Goddess – Beauties are believed to be born from the cosmic forces of Yin(陰) and Yang(陽), and their prosperity and beauty are frequently described using celestial imagery, such as clouds and rosy hues(雲霞). Furthermore, women and plants in ancient literature are intricately tied to the continuity of life. For instance, acting as an intermediary, rainwater, frost, and other water sources play a pivotal role in determining crop yields, symbolizing the reproductive capacity of women. Additionally, in many plant-related myths associated with women, plants are often depicted as enhancing female sexual allure. In Six Dynasties Ci-Fu, we can thus observe scenes infused with strong metaphors of sexual desire, such as beauties adorning themselves with picked flowers or young men and women exchanging blossoms. When retracing their origins to earlier literary works, these themes can be seen as vestiges of the overarching motifs of “picking and presenting plants” found in the “Book of Songs.”
Keyword	Goddess, Beauties, abnegation, plants, Han Wei and Six Dynasties
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