Oracle Bone Script

Oracle Bone Script

Oracle Bone Script is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, dating back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty (around 1600–1050 BCE). This ancient script was carved onto animal bones and turtle shells, known as “oracle bones,” which were used by Shang kings for divination—seeking guidance from ancestors and deities about future events.

What Are Oracle Bones?

Oracle bones are pieces of ox shoulder blades or turtle shells. Shang kings used them to ask questions about topics like weather, harvests, battles, and dreams. They believed that by interpreting the cracks formed after heating these bones, they could receive answers from the spiritual world.

How Was the Script Used?

The process involved carving a question onto the bone or shell using Oracle Bone Script. The bone was then heated until it cracked. Diviners interpreted these cracks to provide answers or predictions. The questions, and sometimes the answers, were inscribed on the bones, creating a record of the divination.

Significance of Oracle Bone Script

This script is significant because it represents the earliest form of Chinese writing, providing insights into the language, culture, and beliefs of ancient China. Over 4,600 characters have been identified, with about 1,300 deciphered, showing a complex and developed writing system.

Discovery and Study

Oracle bones were first discovered in the late 19th century. Since then, they have been crucial in understanding China’s early history and the development of Chinese characters. The study of these bones has revealed much about the Shang Dynasty’s society, politics, and religious practices.