Oracle bones were primarily used for divination by the civilization of the Shang Dynasty in ancient China, serving as a vital means to seek guidance and answers from the supernatural realm.
Purpose and Practice of Divination
The core function of oracle bones was rooted in divination, an occultic ritual performed to inquire of the supernatural realm. This practice allowed the Shang people to gain insights or seek answers to various questions, essentially communicating with spiritual entities or ancestors. The bones were central to decision-making and understanding divine will on matters of state, agriculture, warfare, and personal concerns.
Key aspects of their use in this ritual included:
- Seeking Guidance: Rulers and diviners would pose questions concerning future events, auspicious times for actions, or the success of endeavors.
- Answering Questions: Specific queries about harvests, battles, or even illnesses were inscribed onto the bones to receive divine responses.
- Supernatural Communication: The bones acted as a crucial medium for interacting with spirits and deities, believed to influence human affairs.
Historical Context and Materials
Oracle bones were integral to the Shang Dynasty, which flourished in ancient China approximately between 1600 and 1046 BCE. This period saw the sophisticated development of a writing system and divinatory practices using these unique artifacts.
The bones themselves were carefully prepared pieces of either oxen bone (typically scapulae, or shoulder blades) or turtle shell (plastrons, or undersides). These materials were chosen for their flat surfaces, which were suitable for inscribing questions and, importantly, for their properties that allowed for cracks to form when heat was applied—cracks that were then interpreted as divine answers.
For further information on oracle bones and their significance, you can explore resources such as those from The British Museum.
