A study of ancestor worship in oracle bone inscriptions from the perspective of anthropology = Ren lei xue jiao du : Yin Xu bo ci zhong zu xian chong bai yan jiu

Abstract

Culture is commonly viewed as the most significant factor that distinguishes one ethic group from another. Writing is primarily defined as the carrier of culture. Religion is generally conceded to be the important way to convey culture, while culture is primly manifested by religion.

Shang Dynasty that started up as a very first dynasty boasts of literary inscription, in the same time, it is discovered to be the earliest era of writing system in existence. All that is attributed to the Oracle Bone Inscriptions unearthed.

Hence, Oracle Bone Inscriptions is associated with the culture study of Shang Dynasty. Central to the culture of Shang Dynasty is the religion culture in the sense that Oracle Bone Inscriptions articulates a great deal of records related to religion. Oracle Bone Inscriptions, accordingly, manages to provide abundant and genuine documents and evidences for the purpose of studying the culture of Shang Dynasty.

The research aims to focus on the Oracle Bone Inscriptions as a main object of analysis, with the combination of the study of Oracle Bone, history of Shang Dynasty together with anthropology, which intends to explore the characteristics of China’s religion and develop a new definition.

The Shang Dynasty is regarded as a period of strengthening religious belief and rituals. The degree of China’s religion ceremony represents itself in a statement of full popularity and development in Shang Dynasty which is implicated by the Oracle Bone Inscriptions, and the worship ceremony is embodied in China’s religion.

Through the research, it is concluded that the core belief of China’s religion mainly revolves around ancestor worship and its consciousness; particular religious sites, such as ancestor temples; worship ancestor of genetic connection as well as ancestor of social groups; and belief of ethics and morality. Religion is closely concerned in society construction and nation building; moreover, it exerts a significant influence on Chinese cultures in many aspects.