What are oracle bones and how are they used?
1 Answer
Jun 18, 2017
Oracle bones were used by fortune-tellers in ancient China.
Explanation:
Made from turtle shells or other animal bones, oracle bones helped ancient Chinese people make daily decisions. Oracle bones were used by fortune-tellers, most prominently during the Shang dynasty.
Fortune-tellers would keep many oracle bones in their shop. A client asks a question, and the fortune-teller writes representative symbols onto the oracle bone. Then they apply heat to it until it cracks. Depending on the way it cracks, a different fortune would be read.
