The Oracle Bones, also known as Dragon’s Bones, are fascinating artifacts from the Shang Dynasty of China (c. 1600-1046 BCE). These bones, primarily the shoulder blades of oxen or the plastrons of turtles, were used for divination. The inscriptions carved on them evolved into a recognizable Chinese script. This article explores the practice of oracle bone divination, its significance, and the historical context in which it developed.
The Practice of Oracle Bone Divination
Oracle bone divination was a meticulous process. A fortune-teller would carve symbols onto the bones or shells, later transitioning to painting them. A hot poker or fire was then applied until the bone or shell cracked. The direction of the cracks was interpreted to predict the future. This practice, known as scapulimancy (divination using the scapula) or plastromancy (using a turtle’s plastron), was prevalent during the Shang Dynasty and continued into the early Zhou Dynasty (1046-226 BCE).
Methods of Divination
There were several methods of divination using oracle bones:
- Scapulimancy: Involved using the shoulder bones of animals.
- Plastromancy: Utilized the plastrons of turtles.
- Pyromancy: Employed fire to produce the cracks for interpretation.
These methods gradually declined in popularity as the I-Ching, a divination manual using hexagrams and yarrow sticks, gained prominence during the Zhou Dynasty.
Importance of Oracle Bones
Oracle bones are crucial primary sources for understanding the Shang Dynasty. They represent the earliest written records of Chinese civilization. According to historian Harold M. Tanner, “oracle bones are the earliest written records of Chinese civilization. The inscriptions give us a highly selective picture of some of the concerns and events that were relevant to the Shang elite.”
Societal and Cultural Significance
The desire to know the future has always been a constant in human history. During the Shang Dynasty, fortune-telling was an important resource for decision-making. From farmers to kings, people consulted fortune-tellers to make informed choices about various aspects of life, including love, money, work, and warfare. The wealthy classes, in particular, frequently consulted these psychics, as they could afford to do so more often than the poor.
Use of Oracle Bones
The use of oracle bones involved several steps:
- Preparation: Fortune-tellers either obtained and prepared the bones and shells themselves or purchased them from merchants.
- Consultation: People would visit a fortune-teller to ask questions about their future.
- Divination Process: Symbols were carved or painted onto the bones or shells. A hole was drilled, and heat was applied to create cracks.
- Interpretation: The direction of the cracks was interpreted to provide answers.
People relied on these predictions for various decisions, from agricultural activities to personal relationships and even warfare.
Discovery of Oracle Bones
The significance of oracle bones was not recognized until the late 19th century. In 1899 CE, Wang Yirong, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, fell ill with malaria. Seeking a remedy, he was given “dragon’s bones” by an apothecary. Upon examination, Wang and his friend Liu E noticed ancient Chinese script on the bones. Despite their efforts, they never discovered the source of the bones.
Further Discoveries
In 1908 CE, scholar Luo Zhenyu traced the origin of the bones to an area near Anyang. He found thousands of inscribed bones and shells, which farmers had been digging up and selling as “dragon bones.” Luo published his findings, and scholars became increasingly interested in these artifacts. The inscriptions provided invaluable insights into the Shang Dynasty’s history and culture.
Importance of Oracle Bones in Historical Context
Oracle bones are invaluable to historians for several reasons:
- Early Chinese Script: The inscriptions represent an early form of Chinese writing, crucial for understanding the development of the language.
- Historical Records: The bones contain records of questions asked by the Shang elite, their concerns, and the diviners’ interpretations.
- Royal Records: The bones provide detailed accounts of the reigns of later Shang kings, their decisions, and the outcomes.
Conclusion
The Oracle Bones of the Shang Dynasty offer a window into ancient Chinese civilization. They reveal the significance of divination in Shang society and provide the earliest examples of Chinese writing. Through these bones, we gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context of the Shang Dynasty, highlighting the enduring human quest to understand and predict the future.
