歷來慣以「東宮」為皇太子的代稱，然而對於這種現象始於何時、為何如此，鮮有人詳細論述。本文分三部分針對這一課題進行追索，首先指出西漢時「東宮」一詞的代稱對象；其次陳述此詞於東漢的演變，並嘗試說明其源由；最後檢討兩漢魏晉學人對先秦典籍中「東宮」的訓解是否允當。

It has been a long time that crown prince is also called “Tung-Kung”. However, there are few detailed discussions and studies on when the appellation started and why this was named. The main body is divided into three parts for study. First, we list out the subjects that had been called as “Tung-Kung” in the former Han Dynasties. Second, we follow up with development and change of the terminology “Tung-Kung” in Later Han and try to provide explanations. Finally, we evaluate appropriateness of lecturing explanation of “Tung-Kung” in Xian Qin records by scholars of Han and Wei-Chin period.

先秦;兩漢;東宮;皇太子;皇太后

Xian Qin; the former and later Han Dynasties; Tung-Kung ; crown prince; empress dowager