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The Oracle Bone Inscriptions, also known as the “Jiaguwen” in Chinese, are ancient Chinese scripts that were written on animal bones and turtle shells in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). These inscriptions provided valuable insights into the rituals, beliefs, and worldview of the Shang people, particularly their ancestral deity thought and culture. This article explores the influence and role of Oracle Bone Inscriptions in shaping ancient Chinese ancestral deity thought and culture in the Shang Dynasty.

Origins and Characteristics of Oracle Bone Inscriptions

The origin of Oracle Bone Inscriptions can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty, a period of Chinese history from the 16th to the 11th century BCE. The Shang Dynasty was a bronze age civilization that existed in the Yellow River Valley and was ruled by a series of kings who presided over a highly stratified society. The Shang people believed in a pantheon of ancestral deities who were considered to be the protectors of their lineage and the guarantors of their prosperity.

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions are the earliest known form of Chinese writing and were developed as a means to communicate with the ancestral deities. The inscriptions were written on animal bones and turtle shells, which were used for divination purposes. The Shang king or diviner would carve a question on the bone or shell, heat it until it cracked, and then interpret the cracks as answers from the deities. The inscriptions on these bones and shells therefore provide us with a rich source of information about the Shang people’s rituals, beliefs, and worldview.

Influence of the Oracle Bone Inscriptions on Ancestral Deity Thought

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions had a profound influence on the Shang people’s ancestral deity thought. The inscriptions revealed that the Shang people believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who were the ancestors of the ruling classes. These ancestral deities were believed to be responsible for the Shang people’s health, wealth, and prosperity. The cult of the dead played an essential role in the Shang people’s religion and was inseparable from their ancestral deity thought.

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions also revealed that the Shang people believed in the power of divination. They would consult the oracle bones and shells to determine the best time to plant crops, wage war, or make sacrifices to their ancestral deities. The Shang people believed that by reading the signs provided by the bones and shells, they could gain insight into the will of the deities and thereby ensure the success of their endeavors.

Role of Oracle Bone Inscriptions in Shaping Shang Culture

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions played a crucial role in shaping Shang culture. They provided valuable information on the Shang people’s social structure, economy, religion, and worldview. The inscriptions revealed that the Shang people were highly skilled artisans, who produced exquisite bronze vessels, jade ornaments, and ceramic pottery. They also revealed that the Shang economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and trading with neighboring tribes.

The Oracle Bone Inscriptions also shed light on the Shang people’s social hierarchy. They revealed that the Shang society was highly stratified, with the king and his family at the top, followed by the nobles, artisans, and farmers. The inscriptions also provided a glimpse into the lives of women in Shang society, revealing that they played a crucial role in the religious rituals and practices of the Shang people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Oracle Bone Inscriptions played a crucial role in shaping ancient Chinese ancestral deity thought and culture in the Shang Dynasty. They provided valuable insights into the rituals, beliefs, and worldview of the Shang people, particularly their belief in a pantheon of ancestral deities and the power of divination. The inscriptions also shed light on the social structure, economy, and culture of the Shang society. Therefore, the Oracle Bone Inscriptions continue to be a rich source of knowledge for historians, archaeologists, and students of Chinese history and culture.