翻译下文成为中文：Title: The Evolution and Impact of Oracle Bone Inscriptions on Religious Beliefs in the Late Shang Dynasty

Abstract

The use of oracle bone inscriptions and divination played a crucial role in understanding the religious beliefs in the Shang Dynasty. This paper seeks to examine the evolution of these beliefs as reflected in the divination practices over five time periods. Additionally, the paper will explore the specific role that oracle bone divination held in the late Shang Dynasty’s religious development.

Introduction

Oracle bone inscriptions (OBI) are an essential source of information for understanding the religious beliefs and practices during the Shang Dynasty. These inscriptions are divided into five time periods, each reflecting different aspects of the divination practices and religious beliefs of the time. This paper will analyze the changes in these practices and conceptualizations over time, focusing on the transition from a complex and diversified religious system to a more simplified and ritualized form that prioritized ancestral worship over other divine beings.

Methods

To analyze the impact and role of OBI in the religious practices of the Shang Dynasty, we will conduct a comprehensive review of published research on the topic between 2018 and 2023. The following sources were selected to provide a diverse perspective on the importance and function of OBI in late Shang religious beliefs:

1. Zhang, J. (2018). Oracle bone inscriptions and the religious beliefs in the Shang Dynasty. Journal of Chinese History, 12(3), 34-45.
2. Li, W. (2019). Ancestral worship and divination practices: A study of the late Shang Dynasty. Chinese Archaeology, 21(1), 75-89.
3. Xu, Y. (2020). The evolution of religious beliefs and practices in the Shang Dynasty: A critical examination of oracle bone inscriptions. East Asian Religions, 4(2), 112-126.
4. Chen, L. (2021). Reevaluating the role of oracle bone divination in the religious landscape of the Shang Dynasty. Journal of East Asian Studies, 29(2), 190-205.
5. Yang, M. (2023). The transformation of religious beliefs in ancient China: An analysis of the Shang Dynasty’s oracle bone inscriptions. Historical Records, 37(1), 54-69.

Findings

The analysis of these sources revealed several key trends in the evolution of religious beliefs during the Shang Dynasty. Oracle bone inscriptions from the first period demonstrate rich and complex divination practices, with a variety of sacrificial rituals for a diverse range of deities. However, by the fifth period, the inscriptions show a significant decline in the diversity of these practices, simplified procedures, and a dominant focus on ancestral worship.

Discussion

These findings suggest a significant change in the religious beliefs of the Shang Dynasty. The decline in the diversity of religious practices and the prioritization of ancestral worship in oracle bone inscriptions reflect a gradual shift toward a more structured and less pluralistic system of religious beliefs. Thereby, by understanding the changes observed in oracle bone inscriptions, we can gain valuable insights into the development and transformation of religious beliefs in the late Shang Dynasty.

Conclusion

This paper highlights the importance of oracle bone inscriptions in understanding the religious beliefs of the Shang Dynasty. By closely examining the inscriptions and divination practices over time, we can trace the evolution of religious beliefs and the increasing influence of ancestral worship. This study underscores the significance of oracle bone inscriptions in understanding the historical and cultural changes of ancient China.

Keywords: oracle bone inscriptions, Shang Dynasty, religious beliefs, divination, ancestral worship