CHINESE

LITERATURE
Historical Background
of
China
SHANG DYNASTY
1600-1046 BCE
 SHANG DYNASTY
• Shang Dynasty
was established
by King Tang.
• It lasted over
600 years and
was led by 30
different
emperors.
 SHANG DYNASTY
Gui Vessel
• The stability of the
country during the
Shang Dynasty led to
numerous cultural
advances such as
industrialized bronze
 casting, the
calendar, religious
rituals, and writing. 
 SHANG DYNASTY
• Created a 3,000
character system
of writing.
– One of these
are tortoise
shells and
cattle bones
(called “oracle
bones”) used
for divination
 SHANG DYNASTY
• Poetry
– The ode "Complete" (Nei [!] 那 )
was used for the sacrifices to the
dynastic founder TANG THE
PERFECT  成湯 . It describes
how the Shang king, with the
help of sacrificial music and
dances, invites the spirit of the
dynastic founder to descend and
bestow his favours throughout
the year.
自古在昔， From of old, before our time,
先民有作。 The former men set us the
example;
溫恭朝夕， How to be mild and humble
執事有恪。 from morning to night,
And to be reverent in
discharging the service.

我受命溥將。 We have received the

appointment in all its greatness,
自天降康， And from Heaven is our
豐年穰穰！ prosperity sent down,
Fruitful years of great
abundance.
殷受命咸宜， That Yin should have received the
百祿是何！ appointment [of Heaven] was
entirely right;
[Its sovereign] sustains all its
dignities.
何天之休， So did he receive the blessing of
不競不絿。 Heaven.
He was neither violent nor remiss,

不剛不柔， Neither hard nor soft.

敷政優優： Gently he spread his instructions
百祿是遒！ abroad,
And all dignities and riches were
concentrated in him.
何天之龍， So did he receive the favour of
敷奏其勇。 Heaven.
He displayed everywhere his valour,
不震不動， Unshaken, unmoved,
不戁不竦： Unterrified, unscared:
百祿是總！ All dignities were united in him.
允也天子！ But truly did Heaven [then]
降予卿士， deal with him as its son,
And sent him down a
minister,
實維阿衡， Namely Aheng (i.e. YI
實左右商王！ YIN  伊尹 ),
Who gave his assistance to
the king of Shang.
不僭不濫， [Our king] showed no
不敢怠遑。 partiality [in rewarding], no
excess [in punishing];
He dared not to allow himself
in indolence:
命于下國， So was his appointment
封建厥福。 [established] over the states,
And he made his happiness
grandly secure.
赫赫厥聲， Glorious was his fame;
濯濯厥靈。 Brilliant, his energy.
壽考且寧， Long lived he and enjoyed
以保我後生！ tranquillity,
And so he preserves us, his
descendants.
谢谢关注！