Scapulimancy
Encyclopedia
Scapulimancy is the practice of divination
by use of scapula
e (shoulder blades). In the context of the oracle bone
s of ancient China
, which chiefly utilized both scapulae and the plastrons of turtle, scapulimancy is sometimes used in a very broad sense to jointly refer to both scapulimancy and plastromancy (similar divination using plastrons). However, the term osteomancy might be more appropriate, referring to divination using bones. Many archaeological sites along the south coast and offlying islands of the Korean peninsula
show that deer and pig scapulae were used in divination during the Korean Protohistoric
, c. 300 BC - AD 300/400.
Historically, scapulimancy has taken two major forms. In the first, "apyromantic", the scapula of an animal was simply examined after its slaughter. This form was widespread in Europe, Northern Africa and the Near East. In Northeast Asia and North America however, the second form, "pyromantic"
scapulimancy was practiced, involving the heating or burning of the bone and interpretation of the results.
Scapulimancy was also mentioned in Chapter 5 of the Kojiki
, the Japanese Record of Ancient Matters, in which the heavenly deities used this process of divination during a consulation by lesser gods.
It is also a method of divination among Greek
and Serb
farmers, even today, probably of extremely ancient origin. More recently, references are found in the memoirs of several warriors who fought during the Greek War of Independence (1821). Whenever they had a feast, they used to roast lambs or kids, and after the meal, anyone who knew how to "read" the scapula would clean it of any remaining flesh and, lifting it up to the light, would interpret the various shadowy bits showing on the transparent part of the bone. A clear scapula was a good omen. Shadowy bits had their interpretation and by this they used to predict the outcome of a battle on the morrow, death or survival.
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
by use of scapula
Scapula
In anatomy, the scapula , omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle ....
e (shoulder blades). In the context of the oracle bone
Oracle bone
Oracle bones are pieces of bone normally from ox scapula or turtle plastron which were used for divination chiefly during the late Shang Dynasty. The bones were first inscribed with divination in oracle bone script by using a bronze pin, and then heated until crack lines appeared in which the...
s of ancient China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, which chiefly utilized both scapulae and the plastrons of turtle, scapulimancy is sometimes used in a very broad sense to jointly refer to both scapulimancy and plastromancy (similar divination using plastrons). However, the term osteomancy might be more appropriate, referring to divination using bones. Many archaeological sites along the south coast and offlying islands of the Korean peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
show that deer and pig scapulae were used in divination during the Korean Protohistoric
Samhan
The Samhan period of Korean history comprises confederacies of Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan in central and southern Korean peninsula, during the final century BCE and the early centuries CE....
, c. 300 BC - AD 300/400.
Historically, scapulimancy has taken two major forms. In the first, "apyromantic", the scapula of an animal was simply examined after its slaughter. This form was widespread in Europe, Northern Africa and the Near East. In Northeast Asia and North America however, the second form, "pyromantic"
Pyromancy
Pyromancy is the art of divination by means of fire.-History of pyromancy:Due to the importance of fire in society from the earliest of times, it is quite likely that pyromancy was one of the earlier forms of divination...
scapulimancy was practiced, involving the heating or burning of the bone and interpretation of the results.
Scapulimancy was also mentioned in Chapter 5 of the Kojiki
Kojiki
is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century and composed by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami...
, the Japanese Record of Ancient Matters, in which the heavenly deities used this process of divination during a consulation by lesser gods.
It is also a method of divination among Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
and Serb
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
farmers, even today, probably of extremely ancient origin. More recently, references are found in the memoirs of several warriors who fought during the Greek War of Independence (1821). Whenever they had a feast, they used to roast lambs or kids, and after the meal, anyone who knew how to "read" the scapula would clean it of any remaining flesh and, lifting it up to the light, would interpret the various shadowy bits showing on the transparent part of the bone. A clear scapula was a good omen. Shadowy bits had their interpretation and by this they used to predict the outcome of a battle on the morrow, death or survival.
See also
- Oracle Bones
- Plastromancy
- PyromancyPyromancyPyromancy is the art of divination by means of fire.-History of pyromancy:Due to the importance of fire in society from the earliest of times, it is quite likely that pyromancy was one of the earlier forms of divination...
- SlinneanachdSlinneanachdSlinneanachd is a kind of divination formerly practiced in Scotland.The practice is now extinct in Scotland.It involved inspecting the shoulderblades of an animal , and according to one version, one had to eat the flesh of the animal without touching the bone with tooth or nail....
- SternomancySternomancySternomancy, from the Greek sternon is a divination practice involving reading the markings or bumps on the chest or breast bone . Sternomancy may have been commonly practiced on victims of sacrifice...