Animal Bones

Definition

Animal bones, in the context of early Chinese art and writing, refer to the skeletal remains used as mediums for divination practices, particularly in the form of oracle bones. These bones, typically from cattle and turtles, were inscribed with early Chinese script and used to communicate with ancestors or deities, thereby linking divination with the origins of Chinese writing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Animal bones used for oracle inscriptions primarily came from cattle and turtles, which were valued for their symbolic significance and availability.
2. The inscriptions on these bones are among the earliest examples of Chinese writing, providing critical insights into the language and culture of ancient China.
3. Divination practices using animal bones typically involved asking questions about future events or seeking guidance on important decisions.
4. The process of divination with oracle bones involved heating them until they cracked; the patterns of these cracks were interpreted by diviners to provide answers.
5. The discovery of oracle bones in the late 19th century at Anyang confirmed the historical existence of the Shang Dynasty and shed light on their religious practices and governance.

Review Questions

• How did the use of animal bones for divination influence early Chinese writing?
  • The use of animal bones, specifically oracle bones, significantly influenced early Chinese writing by serving as a medium for inscribing questions and answers related to divination. These inscriptions represent some of the earliest forms of Chinese characters, which evolved into a more complex system of writing. The relationship between divination and writing showcases how spiritual beliefs were closely tied to communication methods in ancient China.
• Discuss the significance of oracle bones in understanding Shang Dynasty culture and society.
  • Oracle bones are crucial for understanding Shang Dynasty culture as they reveal insights into the religious practices, political organization, and daily concerns of the society. The questions inscribed on these bones often pertained to agriculture, warfare, health, and ancestral worship, reflecting the priorities and beliefs of the Shang people. Furthermore, the ability to interpret these inscriptions provides historians with valuable information about governance and societal values during this period.
• Evaluate the impact of discovering oracle bones on our understanding of early Chinese civilization.
  • The discovery of oracle bones had a profound impact on our understanding of early Chinese civilization by providing tangible evidence of written language and divination practices dating back to the Shang Dynasty. This find not only confirmed historical accounts but also highlighted the complexity of ancient Chinese thought, spirituality, and governance. By analyzing these artifacts, scholars have been able to reconstruct aspects of social structure, religious beliefs, and even linguistic development during a formative period in China's history.

Related terms

Oracle Bones: Oracle bones are pieces of shell or bone, mainly from turtles or cattle, that were inscribed with divinatory questions and then subjected to heat to create cracks that were interpreted by diviners.

Divination: Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means, which in ancient China included various methods like oracle bone inscriptions.

Shang Dynasty: The Shang Dynasty is known for its advancements in bronze casting, writing, and divination practices involving oracle bones, marking a significant period in early Chinese civilization.