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Title: The Influence and Role of Oracle Bone Inscriptions on Ancient Chinese Ancestral Deity Thought and Culture in the Shang Dynasty

Abstract

Oracle bone inscriptions, dating back to the Shang Dynasty, offer a unique glimpse into the belief systems and cultural practices of ancient China. These inscriptions are the earliest known examples of Chinese writing, and they primarily pertain to divination practices associated with ancestral worship and communication with the spirit world. This article delves into the significance of oracle bone inscriptions in the context of ancestral deity thought and culture during the Shang Dynasty, drawing upon various primary and secondary sources.

Introduction

The Shang Dynasty (c.1600 - 1046 BCE) marked a significant period in the early history of ancient China, characterized by its impressive bronze technology and highly developed political and ritual systems (Li and Sun, 2000). Throughout this period, ancestral worship and the belief in a multitude of deities were central to religious and cultural practices (Chang, 1983). One of the most remarkable remnants of the Shang Dynasty is the oracle bone inscriptions, which provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs, practices, and socio-political structure of the time (Keightley, 1978).

Oracle bones, typically made from turtle shells or animal scapulae, were used in divination practices. These practices involved applying intense heat to the bones and interpreting the resulting cracks to predict the future, communicate with ancestors, or seek their blessings (Allan, 1991). The inscriptions on the oracle bones primarily consist of questions posed to the ancestors, as well as records of the predicted outcomes (Childs-Johnson, 1999). This paper investigates the influence and role of oracle bone inscriptions in understanding and shaping ancestral deity thought and culture during the Shang Dynasty.

Ancestral Deity Belief System in the Shang Dynasty

The worldview of the Shang Dynasty was deeply rooted in the belief that ancestral spirits played an active role in guiding the affairs of the living (Allan, 1991). As such, it was crucial for the living to maintain a harmonious relationship with their ancestors (Chang, 1980). This ancestral worship was closely linked to the political structure, as the kings of the Shang Dynasty claimed their authority by virtue of their lineage to the legendary ancestor, the High Ancestor (Tai Yi) (Eno, 2009).

The Shang pantheon, as revealed by the oracle bone inscriptions, consisted of various nature and ancestral deities (Li and Sun, 2000; Keightley, 2000). The highest-ranking deity was Di, or Shang Di, the supreme god who ruled over natural forces and fertility (Chang, 1983). Below Di, a multitude of other deities and spirits were believed to reside in a hierarchical order, governing different aspects of life (Childs-Johnson, 1999). The king and his ancestors functioned as intermediaries between the living and these deities, as revealed in the title “wang,” which was used to address deceased Shang kings and denotes “king” or “ancestor” (Eno, 2009).

Role of Oracle Bone Inscriptions in Ancestral Worship

As intermediaries between the living and the spirit world, Shang kings were expected to communicate with their ancestors and consult the deities about important matters (Eno, 2009). Oracle bone inscriptions played a crucial role in this process, as they were often used to ask questions related to issues such as hunting, warfare, agriculture, and rituals (Keightley, 1978). The diviners inscribed these questions, along with the date and the name of the ancestor or deity being consulted, onto the bone, which was then subjected to intense heat and cracked (Childs-Johnson, 1999).

In her analysis of the oracle bone inscriptions from the reign of King Wu Ding, Allan (1991) identified several types of questions posed to ancestral spirits, ranging from personal matters affecting the king and his family, to broader issues such as droughts and military campaigns. This demonstrates that the living relied heavily on their ancestral spirits for guidance and support.

In addition to providing guidance, oracle bone inscriptions were also employed to secure the blessings of the ancestral spirits. The inscriptions reveal a wide range of requests, such as seeking the favour of a deceased ancestor in war, or seeking blessings for abundant harvests (Keightley, 1978). The centrality of oracle bones in these practices demonstrates the significance of these inscriptions in maintaining relationships with the ancestors.

Influence of Oracle Bone Inscriptions on Shang Culture and Rituals

The oracle bone inscriptions not only shed light on the beliefs and practices of the Shang Dynasty but also influenced Shang culture and rituals. Because the king was viewed as an intermediary between the living and the spirit world, the outcome of the divination was believed to directly impact the well-being of the entire society (Eno, 2009). As a result, rituals and sacrifices were performed in response to the messages obtained through the oracle bones, further cementing the connection between this divination process and ancestral worship practices (Chang, 1980).

The inscriptions also reveal that sacrifices to the ancestors, known as ji, were quite elaborate and involved various animal offerings, including cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs (Allan, 1991; Chang, 1980). These sacrifices were performed on various occasions, such as the onset of a drought, the beginning of a military campaign, or the birth of a king’s heir (Chang, 1980). The prominence of these rituals in oracle bone inscriptions suggests their significant role in the overall religious and cultural landscape of ancient China.

Conclusion

The oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang Dynasty offer an invaluable source of information about the ancestral deity thought and culture during this period. The inscriptions provide a snapshot of the communication between the living and the ancestors, demonstrating the close relationship between the living and the spirit world. Through the study of oracle bone inscriptions, we gain a deeper understanding of the religious beliefs, practices, and cultural norms of ancient China, which continue to influence Chinese culture to this day.

References

Allan, S. (1991). The shape of the turtle: myth, art, and cosmos in early China. Albany: State University of New York Press.

Chang, K. C. (1980). Shang civilization. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Chang, K. C. (1983). Art, myth, and ritual: the path to political authority in ancient China. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

Childs-Johnson, E. (1999). The metamorphic image: a predynastic cosmic map. RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics, 35, 81-105.

Eno, R. (2009). Shang state religion and the pantheon of the oracle bone texts. Early China, 30(31), 1-46.

Keightley, D. N. (1978). Sources of Shang history: the Oracle-bone inscriptions of bronze-age China. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Keightley, D. (2000). The ancestral landscape: time, space, and community in late Shang China, ca. 1200-1045 B.C. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Li, X., & Sun, Z. (2000). The origins of Chinese characters. Beijing: New World Press.

Childs-Johnson, E. (1999). The metamorphic image: a predynastic cosmic map. RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics, 35, 81-105.