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Title: Filial Piety in the Shang Dynasty: Ancestor Worship and Its Three Forms

Abstract: Filial piety is a highly valued virtue in the Chinese culture, and it has been practiced since ancient times. In the Shang Dynasty, ancestor worship was the primary means by which the virtue of filial piety was realized. This paper examines ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty, focusing on the three forms it takes: asking gods, nurturing gods, and praising gods. This paper presents the historical and cultural background of ancestor worship and analyzes the mechanisms through which ancestor worship enables filial piety to be transmitted and embodied. The paper concludes that ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty was an essential component of filial piety and that its legacy lived on in Chinese culture.

Introduction:
Filial piety, or xiào (孝), is a fundamental virtue in Chinese culture. The concept of filial piety encompasses respect for one’s parents, grandparents, and ancestors, as well as loyalty to one’s family and society (Liu, 2004). In the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), ancestor worship was the primary means by which the virtue of filial piety was realized. Ancestor worship takes three forms: asking gods, nurturing gods, and praising gods. This paper examines ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty and its role in promoting filial piety.

Culture and History of Ancestor Worship in the Shang Dynasty:
Ancestor worship is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and has been practiced since antiquity. In the Shang Dynasty, ancestor worship was a vital aspect of religious and social life (Chen, 2015). It was believed that the spirits of ancestors could communicate with the living and bestow blessings or curses upon their descendants. Ancestors were thus worshipped for their guidance and protection. Ancestor worship was also a means of cementing family ties and preserving family lineage.

Asking Gods: Inquiring About Ancestors’ Opinions:
Asking gods, or xúnshén (询神), was one of the three forms of ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty. It involved seeking the advice and guidance of ancestors through divination. Divination was conducted using oracle bones, which were bones or tortoise shells inscribed with questions and then heated until they cracked. The cracks were interpreted as a message from the ancestors. Asking gods was an essential means of seeking ancestors’ opinions on family and clan matters (Liu, 2012).

Nurturing Gods: Sacrificing Ancestors:
Nurturing gods, or yangshén (养神), was another form of ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty. It involved making offerings to ancestors and ensuring their well-being in the afterlife. Ancestors were believed to need nourishment from their descendants in the form of food, wine, and other offerings. Nurturing gods was thus a means of showing gratitude and respect to one’s ancestors.

Praising Gods: Spreading the Reputation of Ancestors Through Texts for Generations:
Praising gods, or sòngshén (颂神), was the third form of ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty. It involved singing the praises of one’s ancestors and spreading their reputation through texts for generations. Ancestors who had achieved great deeds or had been particularly virtuous were commemorated in songs and stories. Praising gods was thus a means of passing on the virtue and wisdom of ancestors to future generations.

Conclusion:
This paper has examined the three forms of ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty: asking gods, nurturing gods, and praising gods. We have seen how these three forms of ancestor worship enabled filial piety to be realized and transmitted. Ancestor worship in the Shang Dynasty was a vital aspect of religious and social life and played a significant role in promoting filial piety. Its legacy lived on in Chinese culture, where filial piety remains a highly valued virtue.