A Textual Research into Que(闕)of Pang(旁) in Shuowenjiezi(≪說文解字≫)

Abstract

There are different explanations of Que(闕) of Pang(旁) in Shuowenjiezi(說文解字). Scholars not only had different understanding of the cause of its creation and different interpretations of its definition, but also differed greatly in the explanations of Que(闕) and in supplement to it since Song Dynasty. Some scholars consider that Que(闕)originates from Shuowenjiezi(≪說文解字≫). For instance, Xu, Kai(徐?)in Southern Tang believes that without teacher`s explanation of `Cong Shang`(從上)of Pang(旁), Xu, Shen(許愼) notes Que(闕). Duan, Yucai(段玉裁) and Wang, Yun(王筠) in Qing Dynasty believe that Xu, Shen(許愼)is not konwing well “□” in Pang(旁)causes using Que(闕); while others such as Yan, Kejun(嚴可均) and Yao, Wentian(姚文田) in Qing Dynasty consider that Que(闕) does not originate from Shuowenjiezi(≪說文解字≫). It is added by later scholars. They analyze that Que(闕) is added for the lost part in Shuowenjiezi(≪說文解字≫) by collators. Based on the form of Pang(旁) on bones or tortoise shells of the Shang Dynasty and ancient bronze objects,and Chinese character studies of“tongyi”(同意), this article sorts out the intention of its creation and evolution process of Pang`s(旁) form and then analyzes the origin of Que(闕) of Pang(旁). From the former research, it is believed that the Que (闕) of Pang(旁) is caused by the gradual change of the forms of Chinese characters, and created by Xu, Shen(許愼).