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Chinese writing is considered one of the oldest in the world, and research into hieroglyphs origin continues to this day. The Oracle bone script, which belongs to the Shang dynasty, is a scientifically proven example of a modern Chinese writing prototype. It predicted the future, weather, or actions in society, which diviners obtained using bull bone or turtle plastrons. In addition to studying the Shang dynastys cultural and social background, the oracle bone script also confirms the prerequisites for the creation of modern Chinese writing more than three thousand years ago.
The Shang dynasty replaced the Xia more than 2,500 years ago, with no supporting artifacts found. Ancient Chinese writing is a heritage of history, as it has many connections with the modern language. Archaeologists and literary scholars are studying hieroglyphs that may connect with modern dialects and open up new chapters in the countrys history. It is no secret that the Chinese language has many dialects and archaisms, which vary geographically.
The Shang dynasty is the first scientifically proven era to use writing. Oracle bone scripts have been discovered near Anyang, present-day Henan province (De Bary 4). Over 150,000 remains of bovine flat bones and turtle plastrons were used as divination tools approximately 2,500-3,000 years ago. Oracle bone scripts are the first ancient Chinese characters that are similar to modern language.
The method of predicting the future was not available to everyone, but only to diviners. Archaeologists have not provided criteria for compliance or sources of knowledge for interpretation. Divination bones were used as writing material on which the date, name of the prophet, subject, and question were indicated. Direct acquisition of information occurred by heating the material until it cracks. The pattern of the destroyed plane was interpreted as a specific response, which was later recorded on bones or plastrons. Thus, the use of physical impact on the material was defined as the answer by higher powers to the question asked.
The theme of questions was related to everyday life, but it changed towards more religious over time. Research shows that the Shang dynasty determined the transformation criteria for diviners, and in the last years of the era, the kings themselves could perform rites (De Bary 15). In addition to inquiries about the weather or the future, the researchers found divinations about deities and social connections. For example, Di, the High God, and natural forces were perceived as ultra-human, which are involved in societys progress.
Oracle bone scripts demonstrated the concept of time in the Shang dynasty, in which a person was inextricably linked with ancestors. First of all, society adhered to a sixty-day circle, which was divided into six periods. Each of them symbolized a specific sun and a deceased ancestor, which identified the need for rituals. The connection with oracle bone scripts is that the planned religious observances according to the days of the week were predicted by the diviner. Thus, in addition to confirming the origin of writing, these artifacts demonstrate the connection between society and religion of the time.
Chinese writing has its roots in ancient history, some of which have been studied in modern times. Oracle bone scripts are flat bull bones or turtle plastrons that were the Shang dynastys writing material. A diviner used a solid plane carving tool to ask a question from a higher power. Studies have shown that the topic of requests was increasingly religious, as the Gods role in the life of society steadily risen. Thus, oracle bone scripts provided preliminary information regarding the Shang dynastys daily life and the origin of writing in China.
Work Cited
De Bary, Wm. Theodore. Sources of Chinese Tradition. Sources of East Asian Tradition, Vol. 1: Premodern Asia, 2nd ed., Columbia University Press, New York, 2008, pp. 3-23.
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