傳統中國史學素來有所謂「正統論」問題，而此種思想實與《春秋》中的「一統」有著內在關係。本文首先由「一統」字義的釐清入手，從經學角度探討了《春秋》「一統」之義及其所以然的問題，並對相關諸多歧解和混淆進行批判，尤其將之與「統一」概念區別開來；其次，基於傳統公羊家的解讀，嘗試推原「一統」微義，含有尊王、居正與貴元三種內涵；最後，檢討《春秋》「一統」義在當今可能具有的諸種意義。

Traditional Chinese historical studies have always had to deal with the problem of orthodoxy. I find this problem with regard to the concept of yitong (一統) in the Spring and Autumn Annals. This article begins with a clarification of the concept of yitong from the perspective of classical studies in discussing its meaning and rationale. At the same time, I shall argue that present day readings of yitong in the Spring and Autumn Annals as tongyi or “unification” are a mistake. Based on the classical reading of the “Gongyang” school (公羊家), I explain the original meaning of yitong, in terms of its three connotations of “respecting the king” (尊王 zunwang), “following the right path (居正 jüzheng), and “honoring the original source” (貴元 guiyuan). Finally, we shall examine present day readings of yitong in the Spring and Autumn Annals.