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The Oracle bone inscriptions are among the earliest forms of Chinese writing. These inscriptions are carved on animal bones or turtle shells and were used for divination during the Shang Dynasty. The Shang Dynasty period in China is an essential period in which the people’s beliefs, cultures, and thoughts were developed. The people of the Shang Dynasty believed in numerous gods, goddesses, and spirits from different elements of the earth. The Oracle bone inscriptions provide important insights into the role and influence of these deities, particularly the river gods, mountain gods, and the god of the earth, on the Shang Dynasty society.

In this paper, we will examine the influence and role of Oracle bone inscription on Earth Deities such as the river gods, the mountain gods, the god of earth, and how these beliefs shaped the thought and culture in the Shang Dynasty. The paper will also analyze the symbolism, rituals, and practices associated with these deities.

To begin with, the Oracle bone inscriptions show that river gods were among the significant deities in the Shang Dynasty. The Shang people believed that the rivers were a source of life, and thus the river gods were essential for their agricultural activities (Zheng, H. T., & Huang, C., 2019). The Oracle bone inscriptions suggest that during the divination rituals, the Shang people offered sacrifices to the river gods to seek their blessings. The inscriptions also show that the Shang people believed that the river gods had the power to control floods, which were common during the rainy season.

Another significant deity in the Shang Dynasty was the mountain god. The Oracle bone inscriptions suggest that the Shang people believed that the mountain gods had the power to control natural disasters like landslides and earthquakes (Wang & Yuan, 2016). The Shang people also believed that these gods were responsible for preserving the balance between heaven and earth. The Oracle bone inscriptions show that the Shang people would perform various rituals and offer sacrifices to the mountain gods to seek their protection and blessings.

The god of the earth was also an essential deity in the Shang Dynasty. The Oracle bone inscriptions suggest that the Shang people believed that the god of the earth was responsible for the fertility of the soil and thus crucial for their agricultural activities (Fan & Xu, 2019). The Shang people believed that the god of the earth had the power to bless them with abundant harvests or to bring about famine. During the divination rituals, the Shang people would offer sacrifices to the god of the earth to seek their blessings.

In conclusion, the Oracle bone inscriptions offer a glimpse into the beliefs, cultures, and thoughts of the Shang Dynasty. The inscriptions suggest that the Shang people believed in numerous gods, goddesses, and spirits from different elements of the earth, such as the river gods, mountain gods, and the god of earth. The Oracle bone inscriptions also show that these beliefs played an essential role in shaping the society’s culture, practices, and rituals. The Shang people would perform various rituals, offer sacrifices, and seek the blessings of these deities during divination rituals. The Oracle bone inscriptions, therefore, provide an essential window into the ancient Chinese civilization’s beliefs and practices.

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