What did the Shang people believe?
In this lesson, we will learn all about the belief systems of the Shang, including how they worshipped their ancestors. We'll learn about the supreme god Shangdi, and how the priests used Oracle bones to try and speak to the spirits of their ancestors.
What did the Shang people believe?
In this lesson, we will learn all about the belief systems of the Shang, including how they worshipped their ancestors. We'll learn about the supreme god Shangdi, and how the priests used Oracle bones to try and speak to the spirits of their ancestors.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The religions of the Shang people.
- The importance of ancestors to the Shang people.
- What the 'Mandate of Heaven' is.
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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
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5 Questions
Q1.
People in the Shang Dynasty thought that when the stars and planets lined up, it was a Mandate of Heaven, which meant:
A drought was coming
A great battle would happen
Rains were coming
Q2.
In what year did the Shang Dynasty end?
1066 CE
1600 BCE
1600 CE
Q3.
What was the name of the river that the Shang civilisation was situated on?
The Brown River
The Orange River
The Red River
Q4.
What was used as money during the Shang Dynasty?
bronze
jade
oracle bones
Q5.
Which social class would a priest belong to?
Working Class
5 Questions
Q1.
Which two metals combine to make bronze?
iron
jade
Q2.
What did the Chinese do with oracle bones, before they discovered that they had ancient writing on them?
Put them in museums
Studied them in universities
Threw them away
Q3.
"People in the Shang Dynasty never fought in battles or wars."
True
Q4.
Which of these social groups had the most land, power and money?
Working class
Q5.
We have evidence that the Shang cooked in what?
A BBQ
A frying pan
A roasting tin