Oracle Bone Script

Definition

Oracle bone script is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, dating back to the late Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). It was inscribed on turtle shells and animal bones, used primarily for divination purposes, where questions were posed to ancestors or deities, and the outcomes recorded based on the cracks formed during heating. This writing system is crucial for understanding the development of Chinese characters and provides insight into early Chinese civilization, including their beliefs, politics, and social structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Oracle bone script consists of around 4,500 characters that depict objects, actions, and abstract concepts, forming a foundation for later Chinese writing.
2. The inscriptions on oracle bones often included the date of the divination, the question posed, and the outcome interpreted from the cracks, revealing significant cultural beliefs and practices.
3. These inscriptions provide valuable information about the political structure of the Shang Dynasty, including royal lineage and governance, as they often reference kings and their decisions.
4. Oracle bones were primarily used for communicating with ancestors and deities, reflecting the importance of ancestral worship and divination in early Chinese society.
5. The discovery of oracle bones in the late 19th century marked a significant advancement in understanding ancient Chinese history and writing, leading to further archaeological explorations.

Review Questions

• How did oracle bone script contribute to our understanding of early Chinese civilization?
  • Oracle bone script offers a direct insight into early Chinese civilization by revealing aspects of their religious beliefs, political structure, and social organization. The inscriptions found on oracle bones not only document divination practices but also include references to kings, events, and societal norms of the Shang Dynasty. This makes it a critical resource for historians studying the culture and governance of ancient China.
• Discuss the relationship between oracle bone script and the evolution of Chinese characters.
  • Oracle bone script serves as a foundational phase in the evolution of Chinese characters. The symbols inscribed on oracle bones laid the groundwork for later developments in written language, as many of these characters evolved into more complex forms seen in modern Chinese writing. Understanding oracle bone script helps illustrate how these characters transitioned from pictographs and ideographs to a more sophisticated system used today.
• Evaluate the significance of divination practices reflected in oracle bone script for understanding Shang Dynasty beliefs.
  • The divination practices inscribed in oracle bone script highlight the Shang Dynasty's deep connection to spirituality and ancestral worship. These rituals reveal how individuals sought guidance from divine forces regarding important decisions, emphasizing a culture that prioritized communication with ancestors. Analyzing these practices through oracle bone inscriptions allows us to grasp the values and social structures that shaped daily life during this formative period in Chinese history.

Related terms

Shang Dynasty:

The Shang Dynasty was the first historically verified dynasty in China, known for its advancements in bronze metallurgy, urban planning, and early writing systems, including oracle bone script.

Divination:

Divination is a practice used in various cultures to seek knowledge or guidance from supernatural forces, often involving rituals and the interpretation of signs or omens.

Chinese Characters: Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing system of Chinese languages, which evolved from ancient scripts like oracle bone script and continue to be an essential part of the language today.