Complex Religion
The Shang people worshiped the Shang Di, the supreme god that ruled over the lesser gods of the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain and other natural forces.
Ancestors were also worshiped. The belief was that although the ancestors lived in heaven after their passing, they still had an active role in regards to family affairs and descendants. Kings often communicated with their ancestors using oracle bones and often made sacrifices to them.The worship of ancestors was very important as it is believed that the family and the kingdom would have many disasters if proper worship was not shown.
Like other societies, animals were sacrificed to different gods and ancestors to ask for their help, to feed the ancestors or to keep the gods strong.
Burials were of incredible importance; graves were well-thought out. They contained everything that the deceased would need in the afterlife. Shang royalty had vast and elaborate tombs that showed their strong belief. Among the buried treasure and riches of the privileged dead, there were the remains of nameless individuals that were captured during battle and used as human sacrifices at burial. The remains of relatives or lower-ranking dependents of the deceased may have also been buried in the tomb. This practice of burying the lower-ranking people with the deceased reflected on the Shang's belief that the lower-ranking people are expected to continue serving the king/lord even after death.
Ancestors were also worshiped. The belief was that although the ancestors lived in heaven after their passing, they still had an active role in regards to family affairs and descendants. Kings often communicated with their ancestors using oracle bones and often made sacrifices to them.The worship of ancestors was very important as it is believed that the family and the kingdom would have many disasters if proper worship was not shown.
Like other societies, animals were sacrificed to different gods and ancestors to ask for their help, to feed the ancestors or to keep the gods strong.
Burials were of incredible importance; graves were well-thought out. They contained everything that the deceased would need in the afterlife. Shang royalty had vast and elaborate tombs that showed their strong belief. Among the buried treasure and riches of the privileged dead, there were the remains of nameless individuals that were captured during battle and used as human sacrifices at burial. The remains of relatives or lower-ranking dependents of the deceased may have also been buried in the tomb. This practice of burying the lower-ranking people with the deceased reflected on the Shang's belief that the lower-ranking people are expected to continue serving the king/lord even after death.