Analysis of Chastity and Information Dissemination in Shang Dynasty

? Analysis of Chastity and Information Dissemination in Shang Dynasty

Author: Wu Chenxi

Paper Keywords: Shang Dynasty; Chastity; Information; range

Abstract: There were more than 100 Zhen people in Shang Dynasty. Most of them were tribal leaders, with their own territorial and economic strength, and they also acted as Zhen people for the Shang Dynasty, trying to control the military and political affairs of the Yin Dynasty through theocracy. In divination activities, Zhen people are mainly responsible for occupying turtles, understanding the divine will and conveying the Oracle. In fact, they get information and spread information through divination prediction, and they are the central figures in divination activities. Real people are not only the mainstay of political groups in the Shang Dynasty, but also the backbone of information communication in the Shang Dynasty, making unique and significant contributions to the information communication in the Shang Dynasty.

Book of rites? The watch says:? Yin people respected God, followed by ghosts, and led the people to serve God. ? In the minds of businessmen, ghosts and gods occupy an extremely important position, which affects the good and bad fortune of the world and is closely related to the political life of businessmen. In order to pray for the blessing of the gods and avoid misfortune, businessmen occupy everything almost every day, and divination has become an important part of their national life. In line with this, a huge divination group specialized in divination affairs appeared in Shang Dynasty, which was composed of three main personnel: divination, chastity and occupation, and was responsible for divination affairs in Shang Dynasty. The leader of the divination group is the king of Shang Dynasty. Shang kings sometimes played the roles of divination, chastity and occupation, but there were not many opportunities for Shang kings to participate in specific divination affairs. In most cases, divination is accomplished by both divination and chastity. Under normal circumstances, fortune tellers are only responsible for counting turtles and burning turtles to get omens, while Zhen people are fully responsible for picking turtles according to omens, accepting oracles and issuing oracles. They often exercise the leading power on behalf of Shang kings and are the central figures in the whole divination activities. 1q If most of Oracle Bone Inscriptions's content is Zhen people, it just proves this point. What needs special explanation is that our research on Zhen people is mainly limited to Zhen people in the early period of Yin Shang Dynasty (Wuding to Mixin), but we have made a little mention of Zhen people in the late period of Yin Shang Dynasty (Kangding to Di Xin).

First, the origin and political status of Zhen people

There are a large number of Zhen people in Oracle bones, and Zhen people sign on Oracle bones. Hey? Before this word. 1933, Dong Zuobin published "A Case Study of Dating in Oracle Bone Inscriptions" and proposed? Real people say? A total of 33 virgins were counted. 1965, Dong Zuobin wrote Oracle Bone Inscriptions for sixty years. According to statistics, there are 73 virgins. Later, Chen and Shi Mabangmen also made systematic statistics and research on Zhen people respectively. Chen identified 120, while shimabangmen identified I 10. The most detailed and in-depth study of Zhen people is Tsung i Jao. In 1959, Rao published "A General Examination of Zhen Bu Zi in Yin Dynasty", and made a detailed comment on the data of Oracle Bone Inscriptions's middlemen, and * * got 142 chastity people. Although the statistics are different, there are more than 100 people in the whole Yin and Shang Dynasties. So many virtuous people engage in divination, which the academic circles call it? Real people group? . There were 5 cases of divination in the same edition (1 1546), 4 cases of divination in the same edition (667 plus 3297 plus) and 3 cases of divination in the same edition (15515438+) 3756. 3610). Zhenbu Group? . Therefore, it is necessary to study the origin and political status of Zhen people.

The Yin-Shang period was a combination of many tribes with children's surnames as the core, and the Zhen people were one of the representatives of the tribal forces in that dynasty. Zhen people have the special ability to communicate with gods and people, which is the embodiment of theocracy. Among the Zhen people, the Zhen people of the tribes that have merged with Shang Dynasty are a minority, and most of them still belong to those tribes that have not merged with Shang Dynasty but belong to Yin Dynasty. There are many town names in Oracle Bone Inscriptions, which are also place names and tribal names. } 5} use? Gen？ Examples are quite illustrative: example 1, self-love, fighting for chastity: make it permanent. (6952) Example: Xuan, Genren, ten. (9289) Example 3. Guimaobu, Genzhen: I'm one year old. (995 1) Example 4, Yan Chenbu, Zhen: No disaster. ( 10 184)

Example 1. 2。 Three, four? Gen？ Once an enemy of Shang Dynasty. Gen？ After surrendering to the merchants and paying tribute, what? Shang dynasty leaders acted as virgins. Gen？ Being Shang's confidant, Wang paid more attention to his safety. In addition, such as "Bin", "Nei", "Chong", "Drum", "Harmony", "Peng", "Yin", "Inverse", "Dog", "Yong" and "Da" are all names of people, places and nationalities. This just shows that these people were the leaders of the Ministry on the territory of their own tribe and were Zhen people when they worked in the Yin Dynasty. It is precisely because these people are representatives of various tribes and backed by tribal forces that they have considerable political status in the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Geng Jia's time? Medium? And then what? Bones? , Mi Xin period? Mouth? For example, Ren Zhen once held a very important position in Shang Dynasty? Xiao Chen? . Some virtuous people used to be? Asia? Job, is there anyone named Zhen? Huber? Some women from the tribe to which Zhen people belong often become the wives of the Yin royal family, which shows that their tribal power is considerable.

Many Zhen people have their own territory and economic strength, so there are many records about Zhen people's fiefs and tributes in Oracle Bone Inscriptions: Example 5: I am thirty. (65} 1) Example 6. Ding Choubu and Wei Zhen: Make people to me. Example 7: Ten people are forever. (1899 1 negative) Example 8, Wang Bu, who is in the second place: Today, step on eternity and die. (English 2562)

What do examples 5 and 6 refer to? Me? There are tributes and domains, examples 7 and 8 for reference? Never? There are tributes and territories.

Because most of the Zhen people in the early Yin and Shang Dynasties were tribal leaders, who had their own territorial and economic power, they occupied the position of Zhen people in Shang Dynasty and tried to influence the military and political affairs of Shang Dynasty through theocracy, so the Zhen people formed a powerful containment and restraint role on the royal power of Yin and Shang Dynasties.

Secondly, the status and role of Zhen people in divination and prediction.

Zhen people in Shang dynasty were mainly responsible for occupying turtles, understanding the divine will and conveying the Oracle. In fact, they obtain and disseminate information through divination prediction, and they are the central figures in divination activities. The Zhen people in Shang Dynasty had the right of divination, but actually had the right of Oracle Bone Inscriptions's declaration, that is, the right of information dissemination.

Generally speaking, merchant divination is divided into five basic steps: (1) taking turtles and attacking them; (2) living turtles; (3) The miracle of burning soft-shelled turtle (bone); (4) occupying turtles; (5) carving. Can only be seen on the existing Oracle Bone Inscriptions? Bu Zhao? With what? Engraved? . Who are the fortune tellers reflected in Oracle Bone Inscriptions? Bren? 、? Real people? And then what? Occupy sb? In most cases, it is the king of time. Straight books in Oracle Bone Inscriptions? Bren? The only certainty of this name is. Light (94 anti)? 、? Me (16)? Waiting for someone, and then what? Real people? There are often signatures, which Wang used when he participated in divination? Wang zhanri? Said that this shows that the Shang Dynasty divination group is composed of three main personnel: soothsayers, virgins and kings. In divination activities, fortune tellers tell the tortoise what they want to ask, and burn Oracle Bone Inscriptions (which can be carried out at the same time with the tortoise) to make it present various omens, so as to make a good prediction of the king's maiden. Therefore, the fortune teller has the right to ask the tortoise for divination. The main duty of Zhen people is to make a preliminary inference and prediction of the Oracle of Shang God and the information of future development according to the signs obtained by fortune tellers. What is Ren Zhen's responsibility? Zhan GUI? , has the right to measure the initial information, and the prediction result of Zhenren is in Oracle Bone Inscriptions? Life words? Part of it is recorded. Chastity? Hey? Mainly to provide reference for Wang Shi's final information prediction. Wang sometimes takes part in divination activities. On the one hand, he wants to listen to the initial opinions of Zhen people, on the other hand, he wants to personally observe the signs obtained by the fortune teller, and combine the two to make a comprehensive investigation and make a final inference and prediction on something. The result of divination was often decided by the king at that time, so the king at that time had the right to measure the information finally, and the divination result of the king at that time was in the Oracle? Jenci? Part of it is recorded. There is a close relationship between life words and professional words in Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Zhen people's life words often stipulate the main scope of words, and professional words often take the contents involved in life words as the basis for final prediction. In Oracle Bone Inscriptions, Bu? 、? Hey? 、? Jan? The sequential use of the three words and the arrangement of narrative words, destiny words and professional words reflect that divination in Shang Dynasty is an orderly and interlocking systematic project. In this systematic project, Wang Shang is of course the leader, but we should see that in most cases, Wang Shi does not participate in specific divination affairs, but only Zhen people report the prediction results to Wang Shi and let Zhen people have the final say on the prediction results. At this time, Zhen people actually have the right to measure information, and they actually represent and dominate the whole divination project, and convey and publish the Oracle on behalf of Shang God. Even if Wang participated in divination, as Mr. Wang pointed out: Although Yin Wang can make divination, because the divination and divination contents are manipulated by Zhen people, Wang's divination will inevitably revolve within the will of Bo people; Moreover, many chaste people also made statements like the king, which shows that it is not Wang Yin's privilege to announce the divination results. Zhen people often record the mistakes of Wang Shang's ci truthfully when they take an examination of ci. ? Therefore, Zhen people existed from beginning to end in Shang Dynasty, which played a leading role in the whole divination process.

From the process mode of information dissemination, what is the loyalty of people? Hey? Chastity is at the center of information dissemination and is indispensable in the whole process of information dissemination? The central figure. Due to the divination activities of Shang Dynasty? Bu？ 、? Hey? 、? Jan? On the other hand, Shang God, soothsayers, virgins and kings are also communicators and receivers of each other. Are you online? Bu？ In this link, the fortune teller tells the Shang God what he wants to ask. The fortune teller is the communicator and the Shang God is the receiver. The soothsayer burns a turtle (or bone) and sees a sign, which is a special symbol of God's answer to the soothsayer. At this time, the Shang God became a disseminator, and the soothsayer was the first person to see the signs and the receiver of the Shang God. Are you online? Hey? In this link, the townspeople are the interpreters of symbols and the receivers of God's will, while the townspeople are the interpreters of symbols. Hey? ) told the king, then become a communicator. Are you online? Jan? In this link,? Wang? In order to examine the signs and consult the Zhen people's preliminary opinions, the king became the receiver of the Shang God's will and the Zhen people's predictions, but he also had to inform the royal family members or other party, state and tribal leaders of the prediction results. At this time, he was also the communicator. The whole divination process is a process of two-way interactive role transformation of divination participants, and it is also a process of information interactive circulation. Are you online? Bu？ 、? Hey? 、? Jan? On these three links, Zhen? In the middle, both are indispensable. Lua, what if there is no chastity? Hey? Predicting the fate of the tortoise is futile and meaningless, and it is difficult to interpret and convey the will of the gods. When was the king? Jan? Not every divination is inevitable, only occasionally, and most of them are devoted to chastity? Hey? For what? Jan? Starting point, so decided? Hey? Hezhe nationality plays a central role in divination. Let's look at such words in Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Step by step, fight for chastity? (8 1 1), it is more clear. Although the fortune teller has ordered the turtle to take the sign, there is no virgin? Life words? Content, people not only know who Zhen is? Fight? Besides, there is no other substantive information available, and this divination is of no information value to our descendants at least.

To sum up, the purpose of divination is to promote destiny, and divination is an important function of the state. Zhenren is the embodiment of theocracy, communicating the connection between God and man. Chastity people can appeal to God, which played an important role in the political life of the Yin Dynasty.

Thirdly, the scope and function of virginity measurement.

The Zhen people in Shang Dynasty participated in divination affairs, peeped at the divine will, passed on the Oracle, acted as the middleman between the Shang God and the Shang kings, and played the dual roles of receiver and disseminator when the divine will of heaven spread to the world. There are few words of fate and occupation or only words of occupation or investigation in Oracle bone inscriptions. Most of Oracle Bone Inscriptions only has the characters of Zhen people, which shows that in most cases, it is obvious that Zhen people have taken on the function of chastity and accepted the Oracle of Shang God alone, and their status and rights are remarkable. We are only famous for our virginity in Wuding period? General? Study the content of chastity, and see through the position and function of chastity people in Shang Dynasty in divination and information dissemination.

(1) War news. Example 9: Ding Youbu and Fan Zhen: This spring, Wang * * * people received 5,000 earthwork, which was a blessing. O (6409) Example 10, Xin Youbu, Gu Zhen: This spring, Wang Cheng was blessed from danger. Xin Youbu and Fan Zhen: This spring, the king should not take advantage of the king's attack on danger, but should be blessed. O (6482 positive) example 1 1, Xin choubu, Fan Zhen: if you work, you can't cut the king. (6 199) case 9. 10。 1 1 real people? Drum? Predict and consider that this spring, the king should gather 5 thousand troops to attack the earth, and can get the help of the gods; This spring, Faye Wong and Wangcheng (tribal leaders) attacked the next crisis; If workers invade in the future, Shang Wang won't have to go on an expedition himself.

(2) Agricultural production information. Example 12, yisib, Guzhen: Wang l? Public order: thank god, it's a year. (1) Example 13, Yi Sibu, Gu Zhen: the year of the harvest of the western map, February. (9744) Case 14, Part IV, Ban Zhen: Sudian Nianlu, April. (10 1 13) Example 12, 13, 14 Chastity? General? Predict and think that the king should order everyone to plow together, and there will be a good harvest; There will be a good harvest in the western land of Shang country; Planting millet in the field will have a good year.

(3) Natural astronomical information. I'm not sure, Yin Zhen: It won't rain in March this year. (126) Example 16, Xin Maobu, Gu Zhen: Qi Di drought me, March. (10 172) Example 15, 16 refers to a virgin? General? It is inferred that it will not rain in March now; God made the Shang Dynasty suffer from drought.

(4) information from the king. Example 17, ugly branch, general chastity: the ugly branch king of Jia Zi, Shi Mi, for o (376 Zheng), it is not only a disaster, but just a blessing, example 18, ugly branch, general chastity: medical service is not delayed. (13658 positive) Example 19, Ding Maobu, Gu Zhen: Wang does not go out. (5 1 1 1) Example 20. Yi Youbu,: Wang was born in1August, 986. (5 167) Example 2 1, soldiers and ministers set up, so-so: Wang Qi won the battle, and two defendants. (10302) For example, 17. 18。 19。 20,21respectively refers to Zhen people? Drum? Prediction and thinking: dreaming on the throne will not be a disaster; The king's illness will not last long; The king should not travel; General Wang will enter in August; Shang Wang chasing deer will be caught.

(5) Information about women and nobles. Example 22, Wu Chenbu, general chastity: women are good at living, Jia. Bingzi Ding Chou sent it, Jia. (14003 positive) case 23, heart hair, is a bone disease. (13888) Cases 22 and 23 refer to Zhen Ren respectively. Drum? Predict and think that a good woman will give birth smoothly; Noble children? Department? Have a disease.

(6) Tribute information. Example 24, Jia Chenbu, drum vibration: Come to the White Horse. (9 177 positive) Example 25, I will take ten, just so so. (28 1 1) 24 cases of chastity? General? Prediction and thinking: Where is Fang? Will pay tribute to the white horse; Example 25 truthfully record? Our side? Ten tributes (items) were made by real people? Drum? Sign for it

(7) Sacrifice information. Example 26, Guiweibu, Yin Zhen: The next day, Wang Bin of Shen Jia went to Jiari. Wang Zhan said: Ji, Bin. Yunbin. (1248 Zheng) Example 27, Kikuiba, Fan Zhen: Tell yourself and Yao Geng. (1248) Ex. 28. Ihab and General Zhen: There are both eager and contemptuous blessings. (970) Examples 26, 27 and 28 refer to Zhen people respectively. Drum? It is predicted that Shang Jia, Yao Ji, Yao Geng, and Mi will be sacrificed.

(8) official information. Example 29, Yi Sibu, Gu Zhen: Insert various cultures to carry the king's affairs. (5440) Example 30: Geng: Wu Zai. (5459) Example 2 1, 22 respectively illustrate various situations of selection and insertion, Wu? Carrying the king? (that is, to carry out the affairs of the Shang king) is the will of Zhen people, suggesting that the king and? Carrying the king? The choice of personnel is irrelevant.

We must point out? Drum? The content of divination prediction is far more than that. Oracle Bone Inscriptions, with many words and long space, is mostly made up of? Drum? Those who participate in divination, such as 6057 positive, 6057 negative, 10405 positive, 1 1497 positive, etc. Judging from the contents of the above Oracle, soldiers were called up (for example 19), fought together (for example 10), farmed (for example 12), and Wang Shang went out to hunt in the wild (for example 19). 20, 265, 438+0), former kings offering sacrifices to old ministers (examples 26, 27, 28), selecting officials (examples 29, 30), etc. National affairs? Ren Zhen wrote it all? Yin? Predict and announce the fate of the prophet. It covers a wide range, almost everything. The power that Zhen people have is endowed by their special political status.

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Information dissemination in any era is inextricably linked with the national form and political ecology at that time, which determines the special form of information dissemination in Shang Dynasty. As a special person who communicates with the Shang king and the gods? Real people convey the fate of God by worshiping Oracle, in fact, they obtain and spread information through divination, which influenced the political life of Shang Dynasty. The real person is the main information collector and disseminator of the whole divination activity. Real people were not only the mainstay of the political groups in the Shang Dynasty, but also the backbone of information dissemination in the Shang Dynasty, which made a unique and significant contribution to the information dissemination in China.