“高祖河”在卜辭中的解釋與爭議：連讀還是斷讀？

Abstract

This paper examines the term "Gaozuhe (高祖河)" as it appears in Shang Dynasty oracle bone inscriptions, addressing the academic debate on its continuous versus separate reading. One interpretation proposes that "Gaozuhe" should be read as a single term, with "He (河)" sharing ancestral status with "Gaozu (高祖)" as a joint deity. Alternatively, the separate reading views "Gaozu" and "He" as distinct entities, identifying "He" as a natural deity.Advocates of the separate reading argue that "Gaozu" and "He" often appear independently in inscriptions, signaling distinct divine roles. This paper supports the separate reading, suggesting it more accurately represents the Shang society’s distinction between ancestral and natural deities. Furthermore, it examines the anthropomorphization of "He" ,suggesting that while "He" may have been incorporated into ancestral worship practices, its primary identity remained that of a natural deity. By advocating a divided reading, this study provides a clearer perspective on the complex structure of Shang religious beliefs and ritual practices.