大禹是家喻戶曉的治水英雄，也是夏朝的開國始祖和家天下的創始者。一般人都將治水歸功於大禹一人，但治水大業絕非僅憑大禹一人便可獨力完成。本文除了探析先秦諸子對大禹的評價如何？大禹釋名和所屬部族及其所出之外，研究重點在於探討大禹治水前有哪些治水英雄？他們功敗垂成的治水經驗對大禹有何啟示？又協助大禹完成治水大業的英雄團隊有哪些重要成員？大禹治水團隊以甚麼技術治理水患？而大禹治水為信史抑或神話？大禹治水對異族異域神話和古代巫舞有哪些影響？此外，民間如何崇拜治水英雄？又如何廣建禹廟並加以祭祀？以上問題均一併探究。 Da-Yu has been the best-known heroes of river harnessing. He also was the originator of Xia dynasty and the creator of the imperial family. The credit for river-harnessing only went to Da-Yu by the people, but he could not get through with such as an undertaking by himself. From pre Qing’s philosophers, I would assay how they attempted an evaluation of Da-Yu. A more study of complete interpretation about the name “Da-Yu” is needed. What tribe did Da-Yu belong to? Where did he come from and how was he born? Besides, this paper centered on some focal points, including who were the heroes of river-harnessing before Da Yu? Although they failed in river-harnessing, their experience could inspire Da-Yu. Who were the members of the team? They helped Da-Yu to finish the river-harnessing. What great techniques were they possessed of? Why could they achieve success in the riverharnessing? However, was “The River-harnessing of Da-Yu” either the myth or history to be? What was the influence of “The river-harnessing of Da-Yu” on different races and foreign lands, including the ancient dance of the witch? Moreover, how did people worship the heroes of river- harnessing? People have built many temples of Yu, and they believe in Da-Yu as a god. Such would be discussed in this paper.
