갑골문(甲骨文)에 나타난 ‘교(敎)’의 자형(字形) 분석과 의미 고찰

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the shape and meaning of ‘gyo(敎: jiao)’ on the Oracle Bone Inscriptions and attempt to suggest a new meaning of it by reviewing the existing understanding based on the interpretation of by Xu, Shen(許愼). Especially, considering that the shape of ‘bok(攴)’ is similar to or identical to ‘bu(父)’, a new concept of ‘gyo(敎)’ can be employed. ‘Gyo(敎)’ in the general meaning currently used has a strong aspect of ‘teaching children[learners] facing the real world by caning.’ However, according to the shape of the Oracle Bone Inscriptions, if the right part of ‘gyo(敎)’, ‘bok(攴)’ is understood as ‘bu (父)’ instead of ‘bok(攴)’, the political and educational situation of the Sang Dynasty can be applied. In other words, if ‘gyo(敎)’ is interpreted as ‘hyo(爻) + ja(子) + bu(父)’, according to the attributes of ‘bu(父)’, the meaning might be enlarged to the ‘education involving leaders who govern the country participate.’ Rather than the form of admonishing with corporal punishment or imposing coercionon learners, it can be confirmed that the teaching of various aspects by sikyoja(施敎者:teachers) was the original concept of education.