Religion
The Shang Dynasty religious beliefs were made up of a mix between animism and veneration. Animism is known for the belief that spirits inhabit all places and things on earth. Veneration is the belief that ancestors and family bring good fortune. Because of this belief, priests werehighly regarded in Shang culture. They used turtle shells as oracles to read the messages from spirits. They would heat bones until they cracked then wrote the predictions on tortoise shells. The Shang were polytheistic and believed in many gods. One important god in the Shang religion was named Shangdi, he was offered sacrifices and public festivals. Shangdi was said to have control over human destiny and be the controlling force over nature. Other than Shangdi, they also believed in a dragon that was said to live in lakes, rivers and seas.
http://ww2.wyomingcityschools.org/~zollerjw/Q1Files/ReligionShang.pdf
http://ww2.wyomingcityschools.org/~zollerjw/Q1Files/ReligionShang.pdf
Legend
The Shang had many stories of their emperors, some more true then others. One of the more famous myths of ancient china is that of the sage kings.Legendary rulers of China c. 2800–c. 2200. Of the three sovereigns and five emperors in the Huang He (Yellow River) region, Huang-tu (reigned c. 2697 BC) is said to have defeated the barbarians. some of the eras achievments included the domestication of animals, agricultural development, the gradual replacement of stone implements with bronze works, aswell as the formation of larger tribal groups. ( http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0038474.html )
3 Sovereigns and the 5 Emperors
(Chinese: 三皇五帝; pinyin: Sān huáng wǔ dì)
The Wŭ dì jì (also known as the Mythic Period of the five emperors in english), these were the mythological rulers of china before the Xia dynasty.
The Three Sovereigns, who were thought to be god-kings or demigods, whom improved the lives of their people with their magical powers.
( http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/Chinese_Dynasties.htm )
(Chinese: 三皇五帝; pinyin: Sān huáng wǔ dì)
The Wŭ dì jì (also known as the Mythic Period of the five emperors in english), these were the mythological rulers of china before the Xia dynasty.
The Three Sovereigns, who were thought to be god-kings or demigods, whom improved the lives of their people with their magical powers.
( http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/Chinese_Dynasties.htm )