Chinese traditional dictionaries are often named after “文”, “ 字” or “dictionary” such as Shuowenjiezi, Zihui, Kangxi Dictionary, etc. The dictionary named Yupian began with Guyewang in the Liang Dynasty. It has its own cultural meaning to use jades comparing to characters. This paper analyzes the reasons for the naming of dictionaries in their own history. And the particularity of Yupian’s naming by examining the taking of such treasure as ‘yu’, a metaphor of Chinese characters. From this rhetorical perspective, it can also be seen that the things named ‘jade’ have their characteristics as well. According to the records of ‘jade’ in classical literature and its influence on people’s ideology in ancient cultural life, it is, in fact, found that the meaning of ‘jade’ has gradually developed and spread. Its metaphorical meaning has also extended to various fields in the same fashion. From the standpoint of the relation between jades and Chinese characters, and that between language and culture, this paper will explore the origin of the naming of Yupian as a dictionary and its influence on the naming of Japanese and Korean dictionaries.

• 顧姍姍(上海交通大學中國語言文學系) | 고산산
• 王平(上海交通大學人文學院) | 왕평