A Study on the Evolution of the Shape and Meaning of ‘神’ through the Classical Documents and the Excavated Literature
DOI : 10.18212/cccs.2020..49.004
Publisher : The Society For Chinese Cultural Studies
Research Area : Chinese Culture
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In <shuwenjiezi>, Xu-shen defined the meaning of ‘神’ as ‘天神’. Since the definition of xu-shen, the representative meaning of ‘神’ has since been established as ‘天神’ and ‘supernatural’ as an absolute being. His definitions are now followed in the various dictionaries published and in the chinese character dictionaries provided by portal sites. The meanings in regard to the “absolute” and “creator” on ‘神’ were expressed using other chinese characters before the actual period when Xu-shen survived. In other words, the original meaning of ‘神’ was that it was different in character from the “absolute man” and “creator” we now use. From analysis of the classical documents and the excavated literature, we also know that the ‘神’ has several meanings such as gods of heaven and earth, ancestors and miracle including “absolute man” and “creator”. To summarize the process of changing the shape of ‘神’ character, we analysed the library of Oracle bones used for divination during the late Shang dynasty, but there is no ‘神’ character. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, the bronze inscription was first accompanied by a shape combining ‘示’ and ‘申’. Even in the Warring States Periods, this structure remains unchanged. However, although there are many transfer patterns of ‘申’, the shape was confirmed as ‘神’ after the LiShu period. To summarize the process of changing meaning, you can see the weather phenomena such as thunder and lightning at the Oracle bones. but from this point on, ‘神’ express the messages and signs sent by God. The Western Zhou period represented the role of agent in carrying out the absolute god’s orders. or ancestor. The Warring States Periods begins to be used as a comprehensive concept, including absolute deity, along with the meaning that emerged during the Western Period.
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