HIST 141 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Junzi, Shang Dynasty, Xia Dynasty
Document Summary
Xia dynasty (myth)- ca 2070 or 2000-1600 b. c. e. Yangshao- pottery, lived in small villages, kept some animals, burial rights 5000-3000 b. c. e. Longshan culture- 3000-1900 b. c. e sophisticated agriculture, greater variety in tools, switches rituals and religions, ancestor worship. Pangu- split and formed heaven and earth breath- created wind and clouds body parts- created everything possible with the earth. Nugua- blue heaven turtle, feet are four pillars (compass), tames or slaughters beasts, creates people, goddess of marriage and recreation of people. Shang- new kinds of political authority, villages organize around family and lineage, patrilineal-father to son, fraternal- brother to brother, the capital is the king and it is mobile, two elements ancestors that are invoked and shang di. Shang di- led into the mandate of heaven. Some pots were used for spiritual festivals or ritual kings power illusion they are right. Intent re: king sole ability to communicate with highest power. Monopoly on di, via ancestors, guardians forestall, nature, harm.
