本文运用语言学、语源学等知识和彝族有关史籍及调查材料,通过对“嫫”──生命的起源和发展、“嫫”的语义发展、“嫫”的音变及与本义的关系、母权制的遗迹的探讨,生动展现彝族母系社会的遗风和母权的特征。 By using knowledge of linguistics, etymology and other related historical records and investigative materials of Yi people, this paper analyzes the origin and development of “嫫”, the semantic development of “嫫”, the sound changes of “嫫” and its relationship with the original meaning. The discussion of the relics of the power system vividly shows the legacy of the matriarchal clan and the characteristics of maternal power.