How were oracle bones used?
Oracle bones were used in ancient China for divination purposes. They were primarily used during the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) to communicate with ancestors and deities. Here's how oracle bones were used:
1. Preparation: The person seeking guidance would first prepare a turtle shell or a bone, usually from an ox or a turtle. These materials were cleaned, polished, and holes were drilled into them for divination purposes.
2. Inscription: The diviner, often a member of the royal court, would carve a question on one side of the bone or shell. These questions were typically about topics such as crop yields, military victories, weather conditions, or personal matters.
3. Heating: The diviner would then apply intense heat to the bone or shell, causing it to crack. These cracks were believed to be divine or ancestral responses.
4. Interpretation: The diviner analyzed the cracks that formed on the surface of the bone or shell. These cracks were considered divine messages, and the diviner had to decipher their meaning.
5. Recording: A record keeper transcribed the question, the cracks, and the interpreted response onto the surface of the bone or shell. These inscriptions have provided valuable insights into historical events, language, and beliefs during the Shang dynasty.
6. Preservation: The oracle bones were then often buried or kept as historical artifacts. Many oracle bones have been discovered in archaeological excavations, contributing to our understanding of ancient Chinese civilization.
Oracle bones were an essential part of religious and political life in ancient China. Through divination, the Shang dynasty believed that they could gain insights from the divine realm and make informed decisions based on these messages.