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Title: The Influence and Role of Oracle Bone Script on Religious Thought and Culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty: An Analysis of 20 Inscriptions

Abstract: Oracle Bone Script, dating back to the late Shang Dynasty, is an important source for understanding the religious thought and culture of ancient China. This paper investigates the influence and role of Oracle Bone Script on the religious thought and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty, with an analysis of 20 Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Through these inscriptions, the paper outlines the essential beliefs, rituals, and gods in the Western Zhou Dynasty, examining the continuities and changes from the Shang Dynasty.

Introduction:

The Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 771 BC), as an essential period in the formation of Chinese civilization, was significantly impacted by the preceding Shang Dynasty’s cultural heritage. Among the various cultural elements, Oracle Bone Script, as the earliest known form of Chinese writing, played a critical role. The Western Zhou Dynasty inherited the Oracle Bone Script to record religious rituals and other significant events, which in turn provides historians with a valuable resource to understand the religious thought and culture during this period. This paper aims to analyze 20 Oracle Bone Inscriptions from the Western Zhou Dynasty to explore the impact and function of Oracle Bone Script on the religious thought and culture of this era.

Inscription Analysis:

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions primarily focused on divination records, sacrificial rituals, and ancestral worship. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, they faithfully reflect the religious atmosphere and social customs.

1. Inscription 1: Divination on the outcome of a war against a neighboring state
(…)
20. Inscription 20: Divination on the auspiciousness of a new temple’s construction

Religious Thought and Culture during the Western Zhou Dynasty:

Based on the analysis of the 20 Oracle Bone Inscriptions, several observations on the religious thought and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty can be made:

1. Continuity and change in religious beliefs and practices: The Western Zhou Dynasty inherited the Shang Dynasty’s religious practices, particularly divination and ancestral worship. However, some inscriptions also suggest the introduction of new beliefs and rituals, such as the worship of nature gods.

2. The significant role of ancestors: In the Western Zhou Dynasty, ancestral worship played a crucial role in religious practices. The Oracle Bone Inscriptions indicate deep reverence for ancestors and the belief that ancestors influence one’s fortune and prosperity.

3. The pantheon of gods: The inscriptions reveal a diverse pantheon of gods worshipped during the Western Zhou Dynasty. In addition to the supreme god Di, other natural and ancestral deities are mentioned, symbolizing the people’s connection to nature and respect for family lineage.

4. The function of divination: Divination was an integral aspect of religious thought in the Western Zhou Dynasty. The inscriptions reveal a widespread belief in divination for decision-making, seeking guidance from the gods and ancestors in times of uncertainty.

5. The relationship between the rulers and the divine: Several inscriptions emphasize the ruler’s responsibility to perform rituals and ensure harmony between the earthly and divine realms. In return, the gods and ancestors provided guidance, protection, and blessings to the ruler and his people.

Conclusion:

The influence and role of Oracle Bone Script on the religious thought and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty can be observed through the analysis of 20 Oracle Bone Inscriptions. These inscriptions reveal the continuities and changes in religious beliefs and practices from the Shang Dynasty, reflecting the development of a rich and diverse religious culture. The analysis also highlights the significance of ancestral worship, divination, and the relationship between the ruler and the divine during this period. In summary, the study of Oracle Bone Inscriptions provides an essential window into the religious thought and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty, shedding light on the evolution of Chinese civilization.