<p>Sure. The sequence「上帝」can be seen in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty" rel="noreferrer">Shang Dynasty</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script" rel="noreferrer">oracle bone inscriptions</a>, e.g. <a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bh=10166&amp;bhfl=1" rel="noreferrer">《甲骨文合集》10166</a>:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/omiQi.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/omiQi.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bhfl=1&amp;bh=%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%9D&amp;jgwfl=" rel="noreferrer">Here are some other samples in oracle bone inscriptions</a>.</p>

<p>「上帝」originally meant <em>highest ruler</em>「帝」residing in <em>heaven</em>「上」(<em>above</em>). Other than this meaning,「上帝」doesn't bear much resemblance to the Christian's <em>God</em>, having nothing to do with universe creation or morality.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-02T15:59:47.817Z
2019-04-02T17:12:59.150Z
2019-04-02T17:12:59.150Z
dROOOze
<p>The word 上帝 is associated by many with western religions. My question is, is there any occurrence of this word in ancient chinese writings or inscriptions?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-02T15:54:57.780Z
https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=en&char=%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%9D
user6065
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-02T16:36:41.803Z
Be careful that Hans culture ancient metaphor on "上帝" are in fact has nothing resemble ideology in monotheism. The modern association is simply used by modern missionary.  If one are not careful, you will see the noun appear inside Chinese folklore or even Buddhist stories.
mootmoot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-02T20:53:23.447Z
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangdi
mic
<etymology>
How old is the usage of the word 上帝？
# How old is the usage of the word 上帝？

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-02)

The word 上帝 is associated by many with western religions. My question is, is there any occurrence of this word in ancient chinese writings or inscriptions?

**Tags:** etymology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=en&char=%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%9D  
> **username_2**: Be careful that Hans culture ancient metaphor on "上帝" are in fact has nothing resemble ideology in monotheism. The modern association is simply used by modern missionary.  If one are not careful, you will see the noun appear inside Chinese folklore or even Buddhist stories.  
> **username_3**: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangdi  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-04-02. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Sure. The sequence「上帝」can be seen in [Shang Dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty) [oracle bone inscriptions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script), e.g. [《甲骨文合集》10166](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bh=10166&bhfl=1):

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/omiQi.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/omiQi.png)

[Here are some other samples in oracle bone inscriptions](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bhfl=1&bh=%E4%B8%8A%E5%B8%9D&jgwfl=).

「上帝」originally meant *highest ruler*「帝」residing in *heaven*「上」(*above*). Other than this meaning,「上帝」doesn't bear much resemblance to the Christian's *God*, having nothing to do with universe creation or morality.


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