Sunday, February 11, 2007
The Shang Dynasty
"The Yellow River Civilization"
(1766 - 1122 B.C.E.)
As the first official dynasty, archeologists found out that the Shang rule was the period of great development. One of the most important inventions of the Shang was the system of writing, which can be found most commonly on animal bones and tortoise shell in Oracle scripts, the oldest form of Chinese written communication founded during PanGeng's era. The written language was used mainly for divination and ancestor worships (will be mentioned later in Social Changes and Religion). Some writings can also be found on bronze and stone, bamboo strips, and possibly, silk. The Shang, therefore, was the first dynasty to have a written record.
Despite their excellence in the writing system, the Shang period is considered to be the mark of the coming Bronze Age. During King Wuding's reign, bronze reached the level of artistry; it was used in making ceremonial vessels, instruments, and weapons; Additionally, much of the finest pottery, weaving, and embroidery were from this period. Bronze enabled the Shang's success in politics, economy, culture, and art. There were evidence that showed the establishment of trade with coastal areas in the east.
Other great developments were also made in the area of handicrafts. They invented the "simple jacquard loom", enabling them to make hidden patterns in high-quality silk fabric. Additionally, they also made significant progresses in the area of astronomy, medicine, and transportation. They also developed a 12-month, 360-day calendar with intercalary months added as necessary.
Social Changes
Chopsticks were first recorded to be used at around about 1100 BCE. Zhou, the last king of the Shang Dynasty used ivory chopsticks. They obviously played a role in forming the Chinese way of eating, a culture that we can still see today.
Aside from chopsticks, the Shang rule was famous for ancestor worship and human sacrifice. Even before Confucius was born, the Chinese society was already intrigued in the belief of the importance of family. They believed that the spirits of the ancestors had the power to punish or encourage them. It was a very important ritual, especially among the king and the nobles. In order to communicate with their ancestors, the Shang king used "Oracle bones", or sometimes called dragon bones, which were actually animal bones or turtle shells. Priests would interpret the answer from the bones.
Religion and Philosophy
Leaders and Contemporaries
Fu hao, or Lady Hao, the cocubine of King WuDing, was the first woman general, excelled at both civil and military affairs recorded in the Chinese history. There were over 200 pieces of record about her in oracle bones. She once commanded an army of over 13,000 soldiers to attack the invading Kingdom Guifang and returned with great victory. She was loved by the Shang people.
Pan Geng (The 2oth King of the Shang Dynasty)
Other Comtemporaries
Around Israel in 1400s BC, Moses, the famous Hebrew religious leader, lawgiver, prophet, and historian lived. He is assumed to be the creator of the Torah, or the first five books of the bible.
According to the Bible, he was a Hebrew boy who was adopted by a royal Egyptian family. He later was commanded by God to abolish slavery for the Hebrew people. It is believed that he lived until 120.
* on the left is a painting of Moses.
In Egypt, around 1400 BC, Hatshepsut ("meaning Foremost of noble ladies") was the fifth pharoah of the 18th dynasty of ancient egypt. She is one of the earliest known "queen regnant", or a female king that posesses all the power the king has despite the gender. She is the second women woman known to have the throne of "King of Upper and Lower Egypt".
* On the right is the statue of Hatshepsut.
Interesting Fact
The Legend of Wuding
When Pangeng died, his son, Wuding, was very young. While his brothers succeeded him, he didn't let his son stay in the palace, but let him travel in order to learn about social affairs as a common citizen. Wuding therefore, understood the hardship of the people. * the image on the right is Wuding.
According to the legend,
"When he came to the throne, he "kept silence for 3 years". Every day in the court, he listened to talks of courtiers without a single word, the courtiers were all afraid. In reality, he wanted to extricate himself from the influence of toady courtiers, looking for a proper chance to use talented persons without any li-mit, so as to restore the prosperity of the Shang empire . Later, he got a brilliant scheme: one day when he was in the court, he fell as-leep suddenly and snored lightly. No one of the courtiers dared towake him.After a while, he stretched himself, rubbed his eyes and said: the late King Chengtang appeared in my dream and said the God would send an Important courtier to assist in governing the country. He asked a painter to draw a portrait according to his de-scription and sent his men to look for everywhere. He found at last the slave Fu Yue whom he got acquainted with when he was in the folk and appointed him the prime minister. After that, the Shang Dynasty attained its period of great prosperity, which was called "the Resurgence of Wuding" in history".
(Actually he got to know Fu Yue from the time he was traveling as normal man and discovered the intelligence in Fu Yue.)
Summary
The Shang dynasty is the second dynasty, or the first officially, of China. The two most important contributions of the Shang Dynasty are the inventions of the writingsystem and the bronze metallurgy. Religion and beliefs, the sources of ancestors worship and human sacrifice played a great role inthe lives of the people. The Shang King had an absolute power, and kingships were passed down from brother to brother, in a system of bureaucracy, where nobles enjoyed lives of luxiries and slaves were treated like animals. Some of the famous contemporaries include Fu Hao, the great female, and Pan geng, the king who moved Shang capital to Anyang. Some contemporaries include Moses, the Hebrew religious leader, and Hutshepsut, the second queen regnant of Egypt. Some interesting legends about the king Wuding, king Pan geng's son are recorded and are mentioned above.
Works Cited
“Chinese Chopsticks”. About: China Online. New York Times Company, 2007.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa_chopsticks02a.htm
“Famous Personages of the Yin-Shang Dynasty”.
http://ay.henanews.org.cn/English/Literature%20&%20history/yinren.htm
Hooker, Richard. “The Shang”. Ancient China. 1996.
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
Ho, Yong. “The Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC)”. China, an Illustrated History. Hippocrene book.
http://www.heritageeast.com/history/shangtxt.htm
“Shang Dynasty”. ChinaCulture.org. Copyright © 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China.
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm
“Shang Dynasty”. Dynasties of Ancient China.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
“Shang Dynasty”. TravelChinaGuide.com.1998-2007.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/shang/
“Shang Dynasty”. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty
Stewart, M. “A Nation of Ventriloquist Dummies”. January 01, 2007.
http://www.stewartsynopsis.com/we_are_a_nation_of_ventriloquist.htm
“The Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)”. Articles outline. Copyrighted 2002.
http://www.chinavoc.com/history/shang.htm
(1766 - 1122 B.C.E.)
Territorial extent of the Shang Dynasty compared to modern China. http://www.chinahighlights.com/map/shang_dynasty_map.htm
Timeline of the Shang Dynasty http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/chinese.html
Origin: The Shang dynasty (later also referred to as the Yin), was founded by a rebel leader, Tang, who overthrew the ruler of the legendary Xia Dynasty, the first dynasty of China.
Technology and Economy
As the first official dynasty, archeologists found out that the Shang rule was the period of great development. One of the most important inventions of the Shang was the system of writing, which can be found most commonly on animal bones and tortoise shell in Oracle scripts, the oldest form of Chinese written communication founded during PanGeng's era. The written language was used mainly for divination and ancestor worships (will be mentioned later in Social Changes and Religion). Some writings can also be found on bronze and stone, bamboo strips, and possibly, silk. The Shang, therefore, was the first dynasty to have a written record. * The picture on the right is a picture of ancient chinese script written on a pot.
Despite their excellence in the writing system, the Shang period is considered to be the mark of the coming Bronze Age. During King Wuding's reign, bronze reached the level of artistry; it was used in making ceremonial vessels, instruments, and weapons; Additionally, much of the finest pottery, weaving, and embroidery were from this period. Bronze enabled the Shang's success in politics, economy, culture, and art. There were evidence that showed the establishment of trade with coastal areas in the east. *On the left is the picture of the simuwu quadripod, largest bronzeware ever found anywhere in the world. It was made in tribute to the deceased mother of Shang king.
But even with the bronze available, and despite the Shang being an agricultural empire, their farming technology was primitive. Implements were made of wood and stone. Spades and sickles were also widely used, producing millet and wheat as their main crops.
Other great developments were also made in the area of handicrafts. They invented the "simple jacquard loom", enabling them to make hidden patterns in high-quality silk fabric. Additionally, they also made significant progresses in the area of astronomy, medicine, and transportation. They also developed a 12-month, 360-day calendar with intercalary months added as necessary.*The image on the right is a painting of an ancient Chinese jacquard loom.
Social Changes
Chopsticks were first recorded to be used at around about 1100 BCE. Zhou, the last king of the Shang Dynasty used ivory chopsticks. They obviously played a role in forming the Chinese way of eating, a culture that we can still see today. 
Aside from chopsticks, the Shang rule was famous for ancestor worship and human sacrifice. Even before Confucius was born, the Chinese society was already intrigued in the belief of the importance of family. They believed that the spirits of the ancestors had the power to punish or encourage them. It was a very important ritual, especially among the king and the nobles. In order to communicate with their ancestors, the Shang king used "Oracle bones", or sometimes called dragon bones, which were actually animal bones or turtle shells. Priests would interpret the answer from the bones. * The picture on the right is the oracle bone with one of the Shang king's events written on it.
The Shang kings often sacrificed many people to talk to their ancestors. In the record they asked questions like "If we sacrifice 10 men and 5 oxen, will it rain tomorrow?". Some of those people were enemies, slaves, sick people; some were merchants, craftsmen, or farmers who had upset the nobles, and there were some nobles who had upset the king.
The Shang kings often sacrificed many people to talk to their ancestors. In the record they asked questions like "If we sacrifice 10 men and 5 oxen, will it rain tomorrow?". Some of those people were enemies, slaves, sick people; some were merchants, craftsmen, or farmers who had upset the nobles, and there were some nobles who had upset the king.
During the reign of the Shang, slavery still existed.The nobles lived the lives of luxury while the slaves were extremely poor. It is said that "They belonged to their lord. After the slave owner died, the slaves were often buried alive as human sacrifice together with animal offerings." (Travel China Guide)
Similar to the Egyptians, when a royal member died, a huge tomb would be built. Slaves, animals, and treasures would be buried to serve the royal member in the after lives.
Government
Government
The Shang ruled in city-states system, where the source of power was in the capital city. 
But as power shifted, other city-states could become the capital. In the Shang society, the king had supreme authority. He was the head of the priests, the leader of the military, and was in charge of the economy. The king used the ancestral beliefs to create the Heaven, and claimed himself to be the messenger or the descent of the God. The king ruled over the nobles, who in turn had to give him military supports. Under the nobles were the priests, who kept the records of the government and were also in charge of religion. Common people, the mass, often lived outside the cities' thick wall left to defend for themselves at war times.
But as power shifted, other city-states could become the capital. In the Shang society, the king had supreme authority. He was the head of the priests, the leader of the military, and was in charge of the economy. The king used the ancestral beliefs to create the Heaven, and claimed himself to be the messenger or the descent of the God. The king ruled over the nobles, who in turn had to give him military supports. Under the nobles were the priests, who kept the records of the government and were also in charge of religion. Common people, the mass, often lived outside the cities' thick wall left to defend for themselves at war times. *The image on the left is the sketch of King Tang, the founder of the Shang dynasty, who ruled with benevolence and virtue due to his experience under the Xia dynasty.
The kingship during the Shang was different from the one we normally acknowledge. Instead of going from father to son, it went from brother to brother or from brother to nephew.
There are many intense contradictions and struggles for throne among the nobles during the Shang reign. Zhou, the last king of the Shang dynasty, was a cruel tyrant, and therefore was overthrown in the misery of the people, ending the rule of the Shang empire in the 11th BCE.
Religion and Philosophy
The Shang people worshipped the god "Shang
Ti," or "Lord on High." This "supreme" god then ruled over other less significant gods,such as the gods of the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain. The worshipping of Shang Ti is the source of ancestor worships, for they believed that after death, ancestors would live in the Heaven, or T'ien and looked after the family. Methods in satisfying the ancestors involved sacrificing, performing rituals and celebrations.
*The image on the right is an example of a Jiaguwen, written for ancestor worship.
Ti," or "Lord on High." This "supreme" god then ruled over other less significant gods,such as the gods of the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain. The worshipping of Shang Ti is the source of ancestor worships, for they believed that after death, ancestors would live in the Heaven, or T'ien and looked after the family. Methods in satisfying the ancestors involved sacrificing, performing rituals and celebrations.*The image on the right is an example of a Jiaguwen, written for ancestor worship.
Leaders and Contemporaries
Fu hao, or Lady Hao, the cocubine of King WuDing, was the first woman general, excelled at both civil and military affairs recorded in the Chinese history. There were over 200 pieces of record about her in oracle bones. She once commanded an army of over 13,000 soldiers to attack the invading Kingdom Guifang and returned with great victory. She was loved by the Shang people.Pan Geng (The 2oth King of the Shang Dynasty)
He is best known for moving the capital of Shang to Yin (Anyang), the fertile land suited for long-term settlement in despite of the troubling political and economic problems. This movement made the dynasty also known as the Yin dynasty. Orcle bones inscriptions are thought to be invented around Pán Gēng's era.
Foreign connections:
There are evidence of trade with the eastern coastal area. But there is no relevant information recorded about trades with comtemporaries from other civilizations/continets.
S
ome pro-African sites stated that there were a small percentage of African presented during the Xia and the Shang dynasty. These Africans were said to be carrying in arts of fightings taught in the Horn of Africa into China, resulting in the Chinese martial arts such as Taichi and Kung Fu. The founders of Xia and Shang came from the Fertile African Crescent by way of Iran, and they had been living in China since 3500 BCE.
ome pro-African sites stated that there were a small percentage of African presented during the Xia and the Shang dynasty. These Africans were said to be carrying in arts of fightings taught in the Horn of Africa into China, resulting in the Chinese martial arts such as Taichi and Kung Fu. The founders of Xia and Shang came from the Fertile African Crescent by way of Iran, and they had been living in China since 3500 BCE. *The photo on the left is A man from Taiwanese aboriginal clan
It is stated that the culture hero Huang Di (HuangDi in Chinese is the word for calling the King) is from Africa. This man's name was pronounced in old Chinese Yuhai Huandi or "Hu Nak Kunte." He arrived in China from the west in 2282 BC and settled in Shanxi.
Other Comtemporaries
Around Israel in 1400s BC, Moses, the famous Hebrew religious leader, lawgiver, prophet, and historian lived. He is assumed to be the creator of the Torah, or the first five books of the bible. According to the Bible, he was a Hebrew boy who was adopted by a royal Egyptian family. He later was commanded by God to abolish slavery for the Hebrew people. It is believed that he lived until 120.
* on the left is a painting of Moses.
In Egypt, around 1400 BC, Hatshepsut ("meaning Foremost of noble ladies") was the fifth pharoah of the 18th dynasty of ancient egypt. She is one of the earliest known "queen regnant", or a female king that posesses all the power the king has despite the gender. She is the second women woman known to have the throne of "King of Upper and Lower Egypt".* On the right is the statue of Hatshepsut.
Interesting Fact
The Legend of Wuding
When Pangeng died, his son, Wuding, was very young. While his brothers succeeded him, he didn't let his son stay in the palace, but let him travel in order to learn about social affairs as a common citizen. Wuding therefore, understood the hardship of the people. * the image on the right is Wuding.
According to the legend,
"When he came to the throne, he "kept silence for 3 years". Every day in the court, he listened to talks of courtiers without a single word, the courtiers were all afraid. In reality, he wanted to extricate himself from the influence of toady courtiers, looking for a proper chance to use talented persons without any li-mit, so as to restore the prosperity of the Shang empire . Later, he got a brilliant scheme: one day when he was in the court, he fell as-leep suddenly and snored lightly. No one of the courtiers dared towake him.After a while, he stretched himself, rubbed his eyes and said: the late King Chengtang appeared in my dream and said the God would send an Important courtier to assist in governing the country. He asked a painter to draw a portrait according to his de-scription and sent his men to look for everywhere. He found at last the slave Fu Yue whom he got acquainted with when he was in the folk and appointed him the prime minister. After that, the Shang Dynasty attained its period of great prosperity, which was called "the Resurgence of Wuding" in history".
(Actually he got to know Fu Yue from the time he was traveling as normal man and discovered the intelligence in Fu Yue.)
Summary
The Shang dynasty is the second dynasty, or the first officially, of China. The two most important contributions of the Shang Dynasty are the inventions of the writingsystem and the bronze metallurgy. Religion and beliefs, the sources of ancestors worship and human sacrifice played a great role inthe lives of the people. The Shang King had an absolute power, and kingships were passed down from brother to brother, in a system of bureaucracy, where nobles enjoyed lives of luxiries and slaves were treated like animals. Some of the famous contemporaries include Fu Hao, the great female, and Pan geng, the king who moved Shang capital to Anyang. Some contemporaries include Moses, the Hebrew religious leader, and Hutshepsut, the second queen regnant of Egypt. Some interesting legends about the king Wuding, king Pan geng's son are recorded and are mentioned above.
Works Cited
“Chinese Chopsticks”. About: China Online. New York Times Company, 2007.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa_chopsticks02a.htm
“Famous Personages of the Yin-Shang Dynasty”.
http://ay.henanews.org.cn/English/Literature%20&%20history/yinren.htm
Hooker, Richard. “The Shang”. Ancient China. 1996.
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
Ho, Yong. “The Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC)”. China, an Illustrated History. Hippocrene book.
http://www.heritageeast.com/history/shangtxt.htm
“Shang Dynasty”. ChinaCulture.org. Copyright © 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China.
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm
“Shang Dynasty”. Dynasties of Ancient China.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
“Shang Dynasty”. TravelChinaGuide.com.1998-2007.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/shang/
“Shang Dynasty”. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty
Stewart, M. “A Nation of Ventriloquist Dummies”. January 01, 2007.
http://www.stewartsynopsis.com/we_are_a_nation_of_ventriloquist.htm
“The Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)”. Articles outline. Copyrighted 2002.
http://www.chinavoc.com/history/shang.htm
