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Watch: Gods of the Shang dynasty

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How do we know about Shang religion?

A Shang family praying together.
  • The Shang religion was very well organised.
  • The Shang people had lots of gods.
  • We know about dates, rituals, people and gods from writing on animal bones called oracle bones.
  • Tombs have been dug up. They show skeletons laid out facing the same direction.
A Shang family praying together.
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What was sacrifice and divination?

A hot rod on an oracle bone.
  • The Shang made sacrifices to Di, the High God, nature powers like the sun and mountain powers.

  • They sacrificed to former lords, ancestors, and royal wives who were ancestors of the present king.

  • The Shang believed that their ancestors held power over them and performed rituals to get their approval for planned actions.

  • Divination involved cracking a turtle shell or ox scapula while asking a question. The answer would be written on the bone itself.

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How important was Shangdi?

  • Shangdi was the ultimate spiritual power.

  • The god controlled victory in battle, the harvest and the floods of the Yellow River.

  • Shangdi ruled other gods and only the emperors could access Shangdi through the souls of their royal ancestors.

  • Shangdi also become another form of heaven.

  • Shangdi controlled many of the things that could affect people's lives and whether they would be happy or troubled.

Shang god ShangDi
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How do we know about a Shang afterlife?

People praying to the gods.
  • The Shang seem to have believed in an afterlife.

  • We believe this because of the burial tombs built for deceased rulers.

  • Often carriages, utensils, sacrificial vessels, and weapons would be included in the tomb.

  • A king's burial involved the burial of up to a few hundred humans and horses as well to accompany the king into the afterlife.

  • Finally, tombs included ornaments such as jade, which the Shang may have believed to protect against decay or even give everlasting life.

People praying to the gods.
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Activities

Activity 1: Shangdi puzzle

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Activity 2: Shang gods quiz

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