On Yinfan's "Xing Xiang" Theory

Since Yin Fan proposed the Aesthetic theory"Xing Xiang"in his book the Collection of He Yue Ying Ling,"Xing Xiang"has gradually become the symbol of the aesthetic standard for the poems of Tang Dynasty. Therefore, the investigation for the origin and the aesthetic intention of"Xing Xiang"has very important theoretical values and significances to restore and grasp the aesthetic standard of the artistic creation of Tang Dynasty and to learn and recognize the historical evolution of the category of the ancient Chinese literary theories.Exploring the existing research results, there is little on aesthetic connotations of"Xing Xiang"from the aspect of the origin in the current study. The studies that closely integrated with the contexts of culture and poetics to thoroughly study the achievements of"Xing Xiang"are rare. On the basis of existing literature review, this thesis inquires the social cultural and poetics origin of"Xing Xiang"in detail. After the thorough analysis on the background of"Xing Xiang", and the interpretation and textual research of its aesthetic connotation and characteristics, this thesis discusses the related problems: Firstly, changes in social culture and context of times lead to the theory of"Xing Xiang". Secondly, there is certain relationship between the connotation of"Xing Xiang"and foundation of"Xing Xiang"theory. Thirdly, the meanings of single category,"Xing"or"Xiang", and of"Xing Xiang"generate and change. Fourth, the research is on the aesthetic characteristics of internal category. As for"Xing Xiang"the aesthetic category, with its aesthetic features, the author also discusses its relation in the development of ancient Chinese poetics theory. Based on the aesthetic significance of"Xing"or"Xiang", with the overall understanding of the theoretical connotation of"Xing Xiang", the author of this thesis makes further explanation respectively from writing characteristics and poetic style.