Watch: Gods of the Shang dynasty
Narrator: The people of the Shang Dynasty believed in lots of gods, including the gods of wind, clouds, the Sun and the moon.
Wheat Collector: Praise to the gods, all of them.
Narrator: Shang Di was the supreme god and was believed to rule all the other gods.
Shang Di: What is the meaning of this half-hearted praise?
Narrator: The Shang people performed rituals and prayers, offered food and even human sacrifices to make sure Shang Di was happy.
Families would also worship their ancestors, if they were pleased the family would be prosperous, if the spirits were not pleased terrible things could happen.
Praying Man: Oh no, the spirits are angry.
Narrator: Priests interpreted messages from the gods and predicted the future.
Priest: Oh dear, this doesn’t look good.
Narrator: Shang kings also acted as high priests and led religious ceremonies.
They were believed to be the best people to offer sacrifices to the ancestors and the gods.
King: Shang Di, with these sacrifices we ask for your mercy.
All: Phew!
How important was religion to Shang people?
- 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.
How important was Shangdi?
- Shangdi was the leading god.
- Shangdi controlled victory in battle, the harvest and the floods of the Yellow River.
- Shangdi controlled many of the things that could affect people's lives and whether they would be happy or troubled.
What was the afterlife?
The Shang seem to have believed in an afterlife.
We think so because of burial tombs built for dead rulers.
As well as bodies, the tombs also contained carriages, religious relics and weapons.
A king's tomb could also include hundreds of people and horses.
Activities
Activity 1: Shangdi puzzle
Activity 2: Shang gods quiz
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