Deities And Ancestors In Early Oracle Prescriptions

How does “Deities and Ancestors in Early Oracle Inscriptions” contribute to our understanding of religion and its structure during the Shang dynastic period? The Shang dynasty was the earliest ruling dynasty of China that ruled from about 1600 to 1028 B.C.E. Oracle bones were pieces of turtle shell or ox shoulder blades used by the Shang dynasty for divine purposes such as guidance or answers to questions asked by rulers. Diviners were taught to interpret the meanings of the cracks, as the crackings stood for the responses of spirits guiding them through harvest, outcomes of battles and even health issues. The explanation of the oracle bones given in the textbook is significant because it provided historians with a narrow understanding of the

Oracle bones were crucial in communicating with ancestors and how they provided rulers answers to difficult questions that would affect society or their personal interests. The textbook mentions how Shang kings would interact with ancestors, specifically “the Shang deity, Di (the Lord on High), to ensure good harvests to fuel the military campaigns” (11). While Di was the apex god, the textbook fails to mention the other gods and their crucial significance in answering questions. Different deity’s had different specialities which is how rulers would have a variety of questions answered, by dedicating or sacrificing to different deities. These deities dictated society and rulers decision making and by overlooking other deities involved, discredits their importance in their religion. Their ancestors didn’t only serve as answers to questions, but they would serve as reformers by punishing kings or providing them with clues about their future. While they mainly served a religious purpose, oracle bones were an important factor in political culture since the results could potentially affect the government and their decision

The Shang partook in sacrificial activities distinct from divination which are the cracks on the oracle bones made by shamans. These rituals were important for their culture which is why they were so detailed, for example sometimes they would “involve music and dance performances or offerings to a series of spirits” (43). In order to truly understand the Shang people and their culture we must understand their rituals and what occurred throughout and thanks to these oracle bones we get a good idea. The bones also reveal the large number of animals or humans that were slaughtered as a means of completing the ritual. Eno provides an example of an engraving “Shall we perform a rain dance to the [Yellow] River and to Yue Peak?” (43). It is evident that ritual behavior was not as simple as slaughtering an animal, but they would dance and make a celebration of it as well as go to the highest point of a mountain. Oracle bones and the engravings provide insight on their rituals and the different kinds performed. It may also mention key places these people would go visit which helps historians understand the geographical location of the Shang