how were oracle bones used.
Oracle bones were used for divination purposes in ancient China. The bones were usually made from the shells of tortoises or the shoulder blades of oxen. They were inscribed with questions or statements regarding various aspects of life, such as health, weather, crops, military matters, and more.
The process of using oracle bones involved several steps. First, the diviner would prepare the bones by cleaning them, polishing them, and drilling small holes into them. These holes were used to insert heated metal rods, which caused the bones to crack.
Once the cracks appeared, the diviner would interpret them as divinatory messages from the spirit world. The diviner would interpret the shape, location, and pattern of the cracks to answer the question or provide guidance. These interpretations were then recorded on the bones, including information such as the date, the diviner's name, the topic, and the outcome.
To perform the divination, the diviner would usually inscribe the question on the bone and then expose it to heat until it cracked. The diviner would then read the cracks and provide an answer or prediction based on their interpretation. This process was often carried out in royal or elite contexts, as it was believed that the spirits communicated through the bones with the ruling ancestors or deities.
Oracle bones played a significant role in the Shang dynasty (around 1600-1046 BC) and early Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC) in China. They are considered one of the earliest forms of writing and provide valuable insights into various aspects of ancient Chinese life, including religion, politics, and culture.