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Study on Oracle Bone Script ‘Ningfeng’ of Western Zhou

  • The Journal of Chinese Cultural Studies
  • 2015, (29), pp.157-174
  • DOI : 10.18212/cccs.2015..29.007
  • Publisher : The Society For Chinese Cultural Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Chinese Language and Literature > Chinese Literature > Chinese Culture
  • Published : August 30, 2015

LEE MYUNG HEE 1

1숙명여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In 2008, ancient oracle bone scriptures chronicling the Ning Feng (寧風) rituals were found at the Shanxi Qishan temple ruins. The oracle bone scriptures archeaological serial number (考古編戶) 2008QF Ⅲ A2G:17 and 6249 were put together to create a completed documentation of the Ning Feng rituals. The completed document shows engravings of three sentences in the front-side and five sentences on the backside. The document is from the early Western Zhou Dynasty era and thus includes the 命辭, 占辭, 用辭 structures. The content of the completed script will be of great importance in further study of the Shang-Zhou religion and 禮制 practices. This paper will lightly analyze the ideograms used and content of the Zhougong Miao oracle bone ‘Ning Feng’ scripture, but mainly focus on the importance and meaning of the Ning(寧) character in comparison to the Yinxu oracle bone inscriptions. There will also be a examination of the Ning Feng ritual’s recipient and the sacrificial objects used by comparing the Ning Feng ritual descriptions depicted in the Zhougong Miao inscriptions to the ones depicted in the Yinxu inscriptions. Finally this paper will examine the how the scripture that was found, influenced the changes in ritual formalities and inheritance processes seen in the Western Zhou era. The Ning Feng scripture that was excavated from the Zhougong crypts is important information in the understanding of the formalities and inheritance attributes of the Shang-Zhou religion. Not only does the Zhougong Miao oracle scripture compliment the ‘寧風于四方’ ritual records written in the Yinxu oracle inscriptions, but also verifies the Yin Dynasty’s ritual system and inheritance seen in the early stages of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It is possible to postulate that the Zhou Dynasty’s official wizards and divine (巫師⋅卜祝之官) had major influences in such changes. It is exciting to see how studies and interests in; not only the 寧風 rituals, but other 寧災 types of rituals flourish due to the excavated Zhougong Miao oracle scriptures. There will be new trends in investigating the sacrificial objects used, interpersonal relationships and 寧災 rituals through newly acquired Zhougong Miao oracle scripts. Based on this question and idea.

Citation status

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