Source A: Excerpt from a Shang Dynasty inscription

'The spirits of our ancestors guide us and ensure our prosperity. Offerings are made to honor their spirits and seek their blessings.' Provenance: An ancient Shang inscription engraved on a bronze vessel.

Key Terms:

• Ancestor: A relative from previous generations.
• Ritual: A ceremonial act performed for religious or spiritual reasons.
• Offerings: Gifts such as food or objects given to ancestors during rituals.
• Shang: The Chinese dynasty during which ancestor worship was a central practice.
• Spirit: The soul or essence of a deceased person, believed to influence the living.

Source B: Dictionary of Ancient China

'Ancestor: A revered relative from past generations, whose spirit is honored through rituals and offerings.'

Source C: Historical analysis by Professor Li

'Ancestor worship was not only a religious practice but also a way to reinforce social order and family loyalty in Shang society.' Provenance: Modern historian's analysis of Shang social structure.

Review the importance of ancestors in Shang Dynasty China and how their worship influenced society. Think about the following questions:

• Why do you think ancestor worship was so central to Shang culture?
• How might these beliefs affect modern Chinese traditions?

Use your own words to reflect on these ideas.