九(jiu)天(tian)(tian)玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)的原(yuan)始(shi)形象(xiang)是(shi)玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)鳥(niao),傳說(shuo)(shuo)她是(shi)古(gu)代(dai)(dai)王朝商(shang)朝的始(shi)祖。《詩經·商(shang)頌(song)·玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)鳥(niao)》說(shuo)(shuo):“天(tian)(tian)命玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)鳥(niao),降而(er)生商(shang)”這是(shi)殷(yin)商(shang)后代(dai)(dai)祭祀祖先(xian)的詩歌。意思是(shi)說(shuo)(shuo)天(tian)(tian)帝命令玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)鳥(niao)生下商(shang)的始(shi)祖契。玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)鳥(niao)就是(shi)商(shang)的始(shi)祖。目前(qian)所知(zhi)最早述及玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)的文獻漢代(dai)(dai)緯書《龍魚河圖》載(zai):
黃帝(di)攝政時,有蚩(chi)尤兄弟(di)八十(shi)一人(ren),并獸身人(ren)語,銅頭(tou)鐵額,食砂石子,造立兵仗(zhang)刀戟大(da)弩,威振天下,誅殺無道(dao),不(bu)仁慈(ci)。萬民欲令黃帝(di)行(xing)天子事,黃帝(di)仁義,不(bu)能禁止蚩(chi)尤,遂不(bu)敵。黃帝(di)仰天而嘆。天遣(qian)玄女下授(shou)黃帝(di)兵信神(shen)符,制伏蚩(chi)尤。
此處玄(xuan)女(nv)乃上天(tian)之(zhi)(zhi)神,雖未具體說(shuo)明(ming)是(shi)否人(ren)(ren)(ren)形(xing),但從整(zheng)段文字看,若非人(ren)(ren)(ren)形(xing),當(dang)有(you)特別說(shuo)明(ming),如對蚩尤兄弟之(zhi)(zhi)“獸身人(ren)(ren)(ren)語(yu)”,便專門予(yu)以描(miao)述。由此可知(zhi),玄(xuan)女(nv)應為“人(ren)(ren)(ren)首人(ren)(ren)(ren)形(xing)”之(zhi)(zhi)神,與玄(xuan)鳥之(zhi)(zhi)“鳥形(xing)”無任何關系。
“九天玄(xuan)女(nv)(nv)”應為“九天壬(ren)(ren)(ren)女(nv)(nv)”,該系傳抄筆(bi)誤,又因(yin)“壬(ren)(ren)(ren)”,天干第九位(wei),玄(xuan)色,故名九天壬(ren)(ren)(ren)(玄(xuan))女(nv)(nv)。壬(ren)(ren)(ren)女(nv)(nv),即炎(yan)帝(di)(di)(di)生(sheng)(sheng)母(mu),任(ren)姒(si)(名女(nv)(nv)登),任(ren)氏之女(nv)(nv)。炎(yan)帝(di)(di)(di)因(yin)任(ren)女(nv)(nv)所(suo)(suo)生(sheng)(sheng),故姓(xing)“姜”。姜姓(xing)本意為任(ren)女(nv)(nv)所(suo)(suo)生(sheng)(sheng)之意。所(suo)(suo)以,九天玄(xuan)女(nv)(nv)就是九天壬(ren)(ren)(ren)女(nv)(nv)。炎(yan)帝(di)(di)(di)之母(mu)任(ren)姒(si),感神(shen)龍首而生(sheng)(sheng)炎(yan)帝(di)(di)(di),有蟜氏之女(nv)(nv),任(ren)姓(xing)。
上(shang)古時(shi)期的(de)母(mu)(mu)系社會只知其(qi)母(mu)(mu),不(bu)(bu)知其(qi)父,乃從(cong)女(nv)姓(xing)。炎(yan)帝之母(mu)(mu),乃是(shi)任(ren)(ren)(ren)姒,名女(nv)登(deng),任(ren)(ren)(ren)氏(shi)之女(nv)(有蟜氏(shi)、摯任(ren)(ren)(ren)氏(shi))。炎(yan)帝因相(xiang)貌(mao)不(bu)(bu)美(mei),其(qi)父少典不(bu)(bu)悅,將炎(yan)帝放于(yu)東方之地。是(shi)炎(yan)帝母(mu)(mu)親(qin)任(ren)(ren)(ren)姒親(qin)手(shou)養育炎(yan)帝成人。因為他母(mu)(mu)親(qin)姓(xing)任(ren)(ren)(ren),故首先她生出的(de)兒子,從(cong)母(mu)(mu)姓(xing)任(ren)(ren)(ren),炎(yan)帝在姜水成就,故自(zi)姓(xing)姜(任(ren)(ren)(ren)女(nv)所生之意)。自(zi)伊(任(ren)(ren)(ren))徙耆(qi)(姜)合稱任(ren)(ren)(ren)姜氏(shi),堯(yao)之母(mu)(mu)也是(shi)任(ren)(ren)(ren)女(nv)。
據甲骨文字義,姜(jiang)是壬女(nv)(妊)所(suo)(suo)生(sheng)之意(yi)(yi),一舉破解(jie)了“姜(jiang)”字本(ben)意(yi)(yi),而任姓初文正(zheng)是壬(妊),故(gu)炎帝(di)姜(jiang)姓必為任姒所(suo)(suo)生(sheng)。“姜(jiang)”字的本(ben)意(yi)(yi)就是“任(玄(xuan))女(nv)所(suo)(suo)生(sheng)”的合(he)文。故(gu)九天(tian)玄(xuan)女(nv),實乃九天(tian)壬女(nv)。
《古文龍虎(hu)經(jing)注(zhu)疏·卷上》:玄女演其(qi)序章注(zhu):玄女乃天地之(zhi)(zhi)精神,陰(yin)陽之(zhi)(zhi)靈氣。神無所不通,形無所不類(lei)。知(zhi)萬物之(zhi)(zhi)情,曉眾變之(zhi)(zhi)狀(zhuang)。為道敖(ao)之(zhi)(zhi)主也(ye)。玄女亦上古神仙,為眾真之(zhi)(zhi)長。
《紫府玄祖法(fa)懺》:全稱“太上無(wu)(wu)極(ji)九(jiu)天紫府玄祖至尊法(fa)懺”經(jing)文中,對于九(jiu)天玄女的贊(zan)頌辭非常殊圣(sheng)。摘(zhai)錄部份如下:上極(ji)無(wu)(wu)上,乃為最上之(zhi)(zhi)尊,玄之(zhi)(zhi)又(you)玄,斯號開玄之(zhi)(zhi)祖,自昔(xi)乾坤未(wei)辟之(zhi)(zhi)前,猶是混t沌元苞之(zhi)(zhi)致,無(wu)(wu)氣(qi)無(wu)(wu)象(xiang),無(wu)(wu)色(se)無(wu)(wu)名,當是時(shi)也,蓋有玄祖....玄祖至尊,結梵氣(qi)于太初之(zhi)(zhi)年,舒(shu)至精于太始(shi)之(zhi)(zhi)分,無(wu)(wu)而(er)有,有而(er)無(wu)(wu),釋宗(zong)無(wu)(wu)以名空,實而(er)虛(xu),虛(xu)而(er)實,儒踐實以成(cheng)治,是為道法(fa)之(zhi)(zhi)宗(zong)。
從以上(shang)經(jing)文記載(zai),九天玄女實乃(nai)先(xian)天女仙,是至(zhi)真天仙,乃(nai)大道衍化(hua),南方離火(huo)炁所化(hua)生先(xian)天神(shen)仙。道教(jiao)最高尊(zun)神(shen)“三清(qing)天尊(zun)”玉清(qing)、上(shang)清(qing)、太(tai)清(qing),乃(nai)是“大道之祖氣、元始祖氣、先(xian)天元始一氣”變化(hua)三氣為三清(qing)天尊(zun)。
道經《九(jiu)天(tian)生神章(zhang)經解》所言:“以陽精之氣(qi)化(hua)生上圣(sheng)(sheng)高真,以沖靜(jing)之氣(qi)化(hua)生元君圣(sheng)(sheng)母(mu),剛烈之氣(qi)化(hua)生天(tian)丁力士,馀(yu)氣(qi)化(hua)育萬靈 … ” 。
《仙術(shu)秘庫(ku)·卷一》玉樞(shu)真人說:天仙者:功(gong)成于三(san)(san)乘(cheng)之(zhi)中(zhong),跡(ji)超乎三(san)(san)乘(cheng)之(zhi)外,不(bu)為法(fa)拘,不(bu)為道(dao)泥,于天地(di)有(you)大(da)功(gong),于今古有(you)大(da)行(xing), … 而返三(san)(san)清(qing)虛無自然之(zhi)界。 … 傳(chuan)道(dao)人間(jian),道(dao)上(shang)有(you)功(gong),人間(jian)有(you)行(xing),與造物而同慘(can),經萬古而不(bu)朽, … 乃(nai)為仙乘(cheng)中(zhong)之(zhi)無上(shang)上(shang)乘(cheng)。
九(jiu)天(tian)玄(xuan)女為道教所信奉,在道教地位(wei)(wei)是(shi)(shi)崇高的(de)(de),是(shi)(shi)九(jiu)天(tian)道法之祖,是(shi)(shi)符(fu)籙法咒之宗,成(cheng)為名符(fu)其實的(de)(de)符(fu)咒祭壇(tan)神(shen),是(shi)(shi)女仙(xian)(xian)神(shen)系中位(wei)(wei)階(jie)僅次于西王母的(de)(de)女天(tian)仙(xian)(xian),九(jiu)天(tian)玄(xuan)女是(shi)(shi)一(yi)位(wei)(wei)深(shen)諳道法、軍事的(de)(de)女神(shen)仙(xian)(xian),但她的(de)(de)莊嚴妙相卻像(xiang)是(shi)(shi)一(yi)位(wei)(wei)雍容華貴(gui)的(de)(de)后(hou)妃。
按《天(tian)壇玉格》云:行六(liu)丁法合受九天(tian)玄(xuan)女箓(lu)。
《太上(shang)正一諸品籙》曰:《太上(shang)九天玄女斬邪秘箓(lu)》一階(jie)。此(ci)箓(lu)恭行(xing)天律(lv),部領雷(lei)兵。如(ru)有下(xia)界精邪,北陰午酉,出沒巖穴,蟠踞山(shan)林,窺闞家庭,損傷人命,神威所到,一切掃除,福(fu)佑生人,肅清(qing)魔(mo)魅,至心佩奉,感應無方。
《墉城集仙錄》記載:
正統(tong)道藏洞神(shen)部譜(pu)箓類-墉城集仙錄-前蜀(shu)-杜光庭撰卷六
九天(tian)(tian)玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)(nv)者,黃(huang)帝(di)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)師(shi)(黃(huang)帝(di)曾訪拜七十(shi)二位師(shi)傅先生學問大(da)(da)(da)(da)道),圣母元君弟子也(ye)(ye)。黃(huang)帝(di)世為(wei)(wei)有熊國之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)君,佐神(shen)農為(wei)(wei)理。神(shen)農之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)孫榆岡(gang)(gang)(榆罔)既衰,諸(zhu)侯相伐(fa),干戈日尋,各據方色,自(zi)稱五(wu)(wu)行(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)號。太(tai)(tai)嗥之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)自(zi)為(wei)(wei)青(qing)帝(di),榆岡(gang)(gang)神(shen)農之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)自(zi)號赤帝(di),共工之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)族自(zi)號白帝(di),葛天(tian)(tian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)自(zi)號黑帝(di),帝(di)起(qi)有熊之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)墟(xu)自(zi)號黃(huang)帝(di)。乃恭已下(xia)士(shi)側身修德(de),在位二十(shi)二年,而(er)蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤肆孽,弟兄八(ba)十(shi)一(yi)人(ren),獸身人(ren)語,銅(tong)頭(tou)鐵額,瞰砂(sha)吞石,不(bu)食(shi)五(wu)(wu)谷。作五(wu)(wu)虎之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)形以(yi)(yi)害黎庶,鑄兵於(wu)葛爐之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)山(shan)不(bu)察帝(di)命(ming)。帝(di)欲(yu)征之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),博求賢能以(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)己助,得(de)風后(hou)(hou)於(wu)海(hai)隅,得(de)力牧於(wu)大(da)(da)(da)(da)澤,以(yi)(yi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)鴻為(wei)(wei)佐,天(tian)(tian)老為(wei)(wei)師(shi),署三公以(yi)(yi)象三臺(tai)(tai),風后(hou)(hou)為(wei)(wei)上(shang)臺(tai)(tai),天(tian)(tian)老為(wei)(wei)中臺(tai)(tai),五(wu)(wu)圣為(wei)(wei)下(xia)臺(tai)(tai)。始(shi)獲寶鼎(ding)不(bu)爨而(er)熟,迎日推莢(jia),以(yi)(yi)封胡為(wei)(wei)將,以(yi)(yi)夫人(ren)費修之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)子為(wei)(wei)太(tai)(tai)子,用(yong)張若、堤朋、力牧、容光、龍(long)(long)紆(yu)、倉頡、容成(cheng)、大(da)(da)(da)(da)撓(nao)、屠龍(long)(long)眾臣以(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)翼輔(fu),戰(zhan)蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤於(wu)涿鹿。帝(di)師(shi)不(bu)勝(sheng),蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤作大(da)(da)(da)(da)霧三日內外皆迷。風后(hou)(hou)法斗機作大(da)(da)(da)(da)車,以(yi)(yi)杓指(zhi)南以(yi)(yi)正(zheng)四(si)(si)方,帝(di)用(yong)憂憤齋于(yu)(yu)(yu)太(tai)(tai)山(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)下(xia);王母遣使(shi)(shi)披玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)狐之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)衣(yi)以(yi)(yi)符(fu)授帝(di),曰:精(jing)(jing)思告天(tian)(tian)必有太(tai)(tai)上(shang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)應。居數日,大(da)(da)(da)(da)霧冥冥晝(zhou)晦,玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)(nv)降焉。乘丹鳳(feng)御景云服九色彩翠之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)衣(yi)集于(yu)(yu)(yu)帝(di)前,帝(di)再拜受(shou)命(ming)。玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)(nv)曰:吾以(yi)(yi)太(tai)(tai)帝(di)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)教,有疑可(ke)(ke)問也(ye)(ye)。帝(di)稽首頓(dun)首曰:蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤暴橫毒害需黎,四(si)(si)海(hai)嗷(ao)嗷(ao)莫保性(xing)命(ming),欲(yu)萬(wan)(wan)戰(zhan)萬(wan)(wan)勝(sheng)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)術,與人(ren)除(chu)害可(ke)(ke)乎?玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)女(nv)(nv)即授六甲六壬兵信(xin)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)符(fu),靈寶五(wu)(wu)帝(di)策使(shi)(shi)鬼(gui)神(shen)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)書(shu),制妖(yao)通靈五(wu)(wu)明之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)印,五(wu)(wu)陰五(wu)(wu)陽遁元之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)式,太(tai)(tai)一(yi)十(shi)精(jing)(jing)四(si)(si)神(shen)勝(sheng)負握機之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)圖(tu),五(wu)(wu)兵河圖(tu)策精(jing)(jing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)訣。復率諸(zhu)侯再戰(zhan)蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤于(yu)(yu)(yu)冀州,蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤驅魑魅雜妖(yao)以(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)陣(zhen),雨(yu)師(shi)風伯以(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)衛,應龍(long)(long)蓄水以(yi)(yi)征於(wu)帝(di)。帝(di)畫之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)遂滅蚩(chi)(chi)(chi)尤于(yu)(yu)(yu)絕(jue)轡之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)野中冀之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)鄉,分(fen)四(si)(si)冢以(yi)(yi)葬之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。由(you)是榆岡(gang)(gang)拒命(ming),又誅之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)阪泉之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)野,北逐塤齋,大(da)(da)(da)(da)定四(si)(si)方。步四(si)(si)極凡(fan)二萬(wan)(wan)八(ba)千里,乃鑄鼎(ding)立九州,置五(wu)(wu)行(xing)九德(de)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)臣以(yi)(yi)觀(guan)天(tian)(tian)地,祠萬(wan)(wan)靈垂(chui)法設教,然后(hou)(hou)采首山(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)銅(tong)鑄鼎(ding)於(wu)荊山(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)下(xia),黃(huang)龍(long)(long)來迎乘龍(long)(long)升天(tian)(tian)。