在《文心雕龙·神思》篇中，刘勰首次提出了“意象”这一文论概念。然而，学界关于其具体含义存在明显不同的解读。通过深入分析《神思》篇的原初文本语境，可发现刘勰所述“意象”并非后世文学批评所指的“表意之象”，而是一个带有譬喻性的语词，用于指代创作主体在构思过程中孕育的“意中之象”。这种“意象”类似于器物制作中的整体性“设计图景”，具有具象性特征，是作者在创作时所需依据的内在“范型”。随着中西思想理论的交流，学者在翻译实践中常用Image和Idea二词与“意象”对译。其中Idea与刘勰“意象”有共通之处，通过两者相互阐发，可进一步辨析“意象”作为“意中之象”在性质、作用、生成机制等方面的内涵与特征。总体而言，《文心雕龙》中的“意象”论与文艺创作紧密相关，描述了“意象”的生成与实现过程，阐明了创作过程中的普遍心理机制，揭示了艺术创作与物质生产之间的共通性，对当下文艺理论建构有重要参考意义。

In the chapter Shen Si of Wen Xin Diao Long, Liu Xie first proposed the concept of “Yixiang” in literary theory. However, there are obviously different interpretations among academic circles about its specific meaning. Through a thorough analysis of the original textual context of the Shen Si chapter, it can be observed that Liu Xie's notion of “Yixiang” is not synonymous with to the “representational image” as understood in later literary criticism, but rather to a metaphorical term used to denote the “Idea in the mind” conceived by the creative subject during the process of conception. This kind of “Yixiang” is akin to the holistic “design schema” in artifact production, possessing concrete characteristics. It serves as the internal basis and “blueprint” that the author needs to refer to during the creative process. With the exchange of ideas between Chinese and Western theoretical thoughts, scholars often translate the term “Yixiang” as “Image” or “Idea”. Notably, the concept of “Idea” aligns closely with Liu Xie's understanding of “Yixiang”. Through mutual elucidation, a deeper understanding of the nature, role, and generative mechanisms of “Yixiang” as the "image conceived in the mind" can be achieved. Overall, the theory of “Yixiang” in Wen Xin Diao Long is intricately linked to literary and artistic creation, elucidating the genesis and manifestation of “Yixiang”, elucidating universal psychological mechanisms in the creative process, and highlighting the commonalities between artistic creation and material production. It holds significant value as a reference for the contemporary construction of literary and artistic theories.