「番界圖」是特定時空脈絡下具有獨特形式和功能的產物，與其他種類地圖有所區隔。然而，其圖像如何製作與構成？這種生成在官方話語下的圖像文獻，又表達出清治臺灣番界何種空間內涵與人地關係？本文以北京故宮博物院藏乾隆49至50年（1784－1785）題識〈臺灣田園分別墾禁圖說〉的山水畫式臺灣番界圖（紫線圖）進行深入考察，除了審視其文字、圖像結構，也從圖中臺灣縣望樓與隘寮、彰化縣兩種藍線、鳳山縣傀儡生番隘寮等3 種圖層裡，掀揭其圖層結構的理路。在這些觀察基礎之上，再將〈紫線圖〉放回國家制定對臺番界政策的脈絡中，援引〈中研本〉、〈西北本〉、〈侯氏本〉、〈俄羅斯本〉等目前所能掌握到的其他版本番界圖，並與蔣元樞建築圖冊、臺北故宮藏乾隆朝〈臺灣地圖〉、奈良天理大學〈舊繪臺灣圖〉和〈臺灣郵傳圖〉、大英圖書館藏〈臺灣島地圖〉等其他地圖史料，重新整理清治臺灣番界圖的年代考證、製圖歷程、因襲緣由及空間形構，藉以對番界圖的空間圖像與人地關係，進行更細緻的理解。總結而言，〈紫線圖〉並非只是單純的紫線番界制定案，而是來自清帝國治臺番界政策下不同階段的想法規劃、政策施行，以及各版本番界圖相互承啟的構成結果。因而，在面對史料的態度上，本文認為閱圖者需明確意識到此種圖層結構的存在，以將圖中複雜錯置之歷史線索的干擾程度降到最低。另一方面，在番界的性質上，國家佈置番界，乃欲規劃及呈現秩序化的均質統治空間；但實際上，番界卻在地方現場的共構模式下，成為國家與地方不同行動者彼此持續互動消長的接觸區，這種共構空間的圖像呈現，即為番界圖的主要特點之一。本文認為，這些面向將有助於我們在呈現國家意志的地圖權力觀之外，另從地圖繪製與空間發展的角度，重新思考清治臺灣特殊空間地緣性及地圖圖像內涵。

Aboriginal boundary maps (番界圖) were of unique form and function produced in a specific space-time context. Through analyzing the Taiwan Purple-Line Aboriginal Boundary Map, currently housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing, this paper explores the cartography of aboriginal boundary maps and the man-land relationship in Qing Taiwan expressed in these image documents of official discourse. In-depth reexamination of the writing and image of the Purple-Line Map revealed the context of the three-tier cartographic structure. Cross-reference with other aboriginal boundary maps, historical materials and cartographic data was also made for a thorough textual research on aboriginal boundary maps of Taiwan under Qing rule to shed light on the history and course of cartography as well as the relationship of the spatial image portrayed on maps with the land and the people living on it. This study revealed that the Purple-Line Map not only delineated the aboriginal boundary of Qing Taiwan, but also illustrated different schemes and policies of the Qing court for dealing with the aborigines. The Purple-Line Map was the agglomeration of various aboriginal boundary maps. Hence, when reading historical maps, due consideration must be given to the existence of multilayer structure. While the reason behind setting up aboriginal boundaries was for maintaining order and state administration, the boundary became practically the contact/conflict zone between the Qing court and the aborigines. Hence, the mapping representation was the product of co-construction between the state and the locals, which was the unique feature of aboriginal boundary maps.