榆林学院学报

陕北民歌中的牛，是一个丰富而多元的文化符号，是一个集农耕、情感、历史、民俗、精神于一体的“文化综合体”。从春耕到冬藏，它见证着陕北人的生计劳作，是维系家庭温饱的“协作主体”；从爱恋到离愁，它承载着陕北人的情感世界，是传递心声的“媒介载体”；从旧社会到新中国，它记录着时代的变迁，是岁月沉浮的“见证符号”；从民俗仪式到日常用语，它融入陕北人的生活点滴，是民俗实践的“文化印记”；从坚韧到忠诚，它成为陕北人的精神图腾，是黄土高原上的“生命底色”。它将陕北的农耕文明、民俗风情、精神特质，都编织进悠扬的歌声里，成为陕北地域文化的核心组成部分。

The ox in Northern Shaanxi folk songs is a rich and multi-dimensional cultural symbol,a “cultural complex” integrating farming,emotion,history,folk custom and spirit. In terms of production,it witnesses the people's livelihood and labor from spring ploughing to winter storage,serving as a “collaborative mainstay” for family subsistence. Emotionally,it carries their feelings ranging from courtship joy to separation sorrow,acting as a “medium” for voicing innermost thoughts. Historically,it records the changes from the old society to the founding of New China,standing as a “witness symbol” of the times' vicissitudes. In daily life,it permeates every aspect from folk rituals to daily expressions,leaving a “cultural imprint” of folk practices. Spiritually, it embodies perseverance and loyalty,becoming the spiritual totem of Northern Shaanxi people and the “essence of life” on the Loess Plateau.Integrating the region's farming civilization,folk customs and spiritual traits into melodious ballads,the ox has become a core component of Northern Shaanxi's regional culture.