遙想遠古時代，臺灣窮山惡水，多颱風、多地震，先民面對此一 天災地變，強韌生命意志力和生活智慧，得以經過大自然考驗，得以延 續個人生命和部落命脈。臺灣位居地震帶，自古以來，先民留下許多神 話、傳說及故事，形成臺灣特有地震民間文學。從這些民間文學傳達早 期臺灣先民對地震災害現象的認知，包含原住民各族的災難起源神話及 有關地震現象的傳說；漢人中閩客族群的地震傳說，主要地震成因有土 牛翻身、地火、鬼靈、玉帝降旨等說，故事則有過年沉地及相關習俗、 地震牛先知等。這些地震現象的傳說故事具有文化傳承功能、傳播資訊 及社會教化等功能。由於它所具有的功能，使這些有關地震的民間文學 具有幾項文化意義，它是臺灣特有的地震民間文學，是臺灣多元文化的 縮影，更具備傳統文化過渡到現代科技文明的象徵意義。近日，臺灣發 生「八八水災」災難，死傷數百人，不亞於「921大地震」、「1935 年中部大地震」及「八七水災」，從歷史的教訓、先民累積的經驗，都 一再告誡吾輩，人類無法戰勝大自然，惟有與自然和平共存，瞭解、 預防、融合大自然，才能面對天災地變，歷經災難，才能重生，面對挑 戰，才有希望，臺灣蘊藏龐大的民間能量和文化根基，正是臺灣子民在 此生存的最佳依靠。有關地震、洪水災難的諸多神話、傳說及故事是臺 灣子民面對大自然挑戰，世代累積的智慧結晶和共同遺產，我們要珍惜 現狀，開創未來，為臺灣這塊土地的文化歷史世代相傳。

Looking back at the ancient times, Taiwan, a place of scarce natural resources and harsh conditions, used to be constantly stricken by typhoons and earthquakes. Faced with the natural disasters, resilience, strong will and wisdom gleaned from daily life sustained our forebears through the trials to extend their personal and tribal genealogy. Taiwan is located on an earthquake belt； the numerous myths, legends, and stories passed on to us from the forebears constitute a particular anthology of the earthquake folk literature in Taiwan. The earthquake folk literature reflects the perception early forebears have of earthquakes. For example, different aboriginal tribes each have their own myths about the origin of earthquakes and legends about the earthquake phenomenon. Earthquake legends of the Han people (Helou and Hakka) mainly consist of the turning of the earth ox, the earth fire, ghosts and spirits, and the decree of the Jade Emperor, and so forth. Relevant stories include the sinking of Taiwan at the Chinese New Year Eve, its related customs, the prophesy of the earthquake ox, and the like. These earthquake-related legends and stories serve to pass on the culture from generation to generation, spread information, and cultivate people’s minds as well. With these functions, the folk literature of earthquakes has cultural significance in several aspects. This earthquake folk literature is peculiarly formulated within the context of Taiwan, epitomizes the multi-cultural cornucopia present on the island, and symbolizes the transition from traditional culture to modern technological advancement. The occurrence of “88 Deluge” claimed hundreds of lives, no less than the casualties caused by “921 Earthquake,” “Earthquake of the Central Taiwan in 1935,” and “87 Deluge”. In fact, the lessons from the past history and experiences accumulated by the forebears have all warned us against human debris and taught us that mankind can never defeat nature and may only endure natural disasters when we learn to co-exist with nature in peace. Only when we understand, blend in with nature, and learn how to prevent natural disasters can we embrace challenges thrust upon us by nature, face and endure the disasters to undergo rebirth and eventually have hope for the future. Taiwan possesses a wealth of grassroots energies and robust culture foundation serving as the best recourse the Taiwanese people have for survival. The numerous myths, legends and stories about earthquakes and floods are the essence of ancient wisdom accumulated from generations of forebears coping with natural challenges and the precious cultural legacy shared by all Taiwanese people. We shall cherish what we have at the moment and create a bright future to pass on the culture and history of this island to generations to come.

地震；民間文學；傳說；洪水

earthquake；folk literature；legends；flood