Abstract:
The Pre-Qin Mingjia(行名家) scholars regarded"form"as the basis for naming, a concept that was later adapted by the Han Confucians, who shifted the foundation of naming to"sound". In the chapter
In-depth Exploration of Names, DONG Zhongshu argued that names, originating from Heaven and Earth, carry the will of Heaven and are essentially sounds. Through phonetic analysis, he connected sound to meaning, strengthening the link between "Sound-Name" and "the Will of Heaven". He further asserted that Heaven does not speak directly; humans express its will, making human words synonymous with the words of Heaven, and human will equivalent to Heaven's will. In DONG Zhongshu's view, the Spring and Autumn Annals, as the sages' words, convey the will of Heaven, with its core principles expressed through "diction". His "Sound-Name" concept profoundly influenced Han Dynasty thought, laying the groundwork for the auditory-centric thought of the era. Reexamining this concept is vital not only for understanding DONG Zhongshu's philosophy but also for offering a fresh perspective on Han Dynasty thought.