Translate the following words to Chinese:
The Western Zhou Dynasty was a pivotal period in the history of China. It saw the rise of an organized and centralized state, with established rituals, ceremonies, and divination practices. One of the most significant contributions to the divination thought and culture of this period was the oracle bone script. This writing system played a crucial role in shaping the political, social, and religious practices of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

The oracle bone script is a form of Chinese characters that was used for divination purposes during the Shang Dynasty. It was written on animal bones and turtle shells, which were heated until they cracked, and then interpreted by diviners. The characters were inscribed on the bones and shells using a bronze awl or pointed tools. The script was primarily used for divination purposes, and the questions asked were related to topics like farming, hunting, weather, or childbirth.

The Western Zhou Dynasty inherited the oracle bone script from the Shang Dynasty and continued to use it for divination purposes. However, the use of the script during this period was not limited to divination alone. The Western Zhou Dynasty expanded the use of the oracle bone script to include political and religious documents, such as royal edicts, contracts, and historical records.

The influence of the oracle bone script on the divination thought and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty was profound. The script was highly revered by the Zhou rulers, who believed in its supernatural power to communicate with the ancestors and the gods. They saw it as a tool that could reveal their destiny and guide their decisions. This belief is reflected in the records of the time, which contain numerous examples of divinatory inquiries made by the Zhou rulers. For instance, one oracle bone text from the Western Zhou period describes how the king of Zhou inquired if he would be able to defeat the Shang Dynasty and establish his own dynasty.

Apart from its religious significance, the oracle bone script also became an important tool for the administration of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The inscriptions on the bones and shells helped the Zhou rulers keep a record of important events, such as military campaigns, and also helped them establish a system of laws and regulations. The writing system provided a means of communication between the different regions and peoples of the Zhou Dynasty, allowing them to exchange information and ideas.

In conclusion, the influence and role of the oracle bone script on divination thought and culture in the Western Zhou Dynasty were significant and far-reaching. It was a tool that the Zhou rulers relied on to communicate with the gods, determine their destiny, and administer their kingdom. The script also helped to preserve historical, political, and social records that have significantly contributed to our understanding of this period. The Oracle bone script remains an important part of Chinese history and culture and continues to fascinate scholars and the general public alike.

References:

1. Bagley, R. (1999). Oracle bones, divination and the Shang State. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 9(1), 1-25.

2. Chang, K. C. (1977). Studies of Shang Archaeology. Yale University Press.

3. Cook, C. A. (2012). The birth of Chinese civilization: Archaeology and history along China’s Yellow River. University of Arizona Press.

4. Creel, H. G. (1970). The origins of statecraft in China: the Western Chou empire. University of Chicago Press.

5. Maw, R. (2016). Chinese oracle bones: the history and legacy of the ancient Chinese practice of divination. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

6. Shaughnessy, E. L. (1992). The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 B.C. Cambridge University Press.

7. Stark, M. T. (2006). The archaeology of ritual. University Press of Florida.

8. Sun, Y. C. (1993). Divination and politics in early Zhou China. Cambridge University Press.

9. Tang, H. (1985). China’s ancient writing. University of California Press.

10. Wagner, D. B. (1984). The craft of the ancient historian: Essays in honor of Chester G. Starr. Wesleyan University Press.