From the“Rock Painting Hunting Theory”to the Original Meaning of Oracle's “Family”

Liu Xuetang

Abstract:Among those rock paintings of Helan Mountains, the most common combinations of images are bowman and animals, which often were interpreted as witchcraft of hunting activity.Through the study of the relationship between figures and animals together with the carving style of these images, this article brings out the concept of “bow of reproduction” and “reproductive characters”.The author holds that the interpretation of those rock paintings as witchcraft of hunting activity is misunderstanding though this kind of opinion is predominant in this field.Most rock paintings with hunting images of Helan Mountains show the prosperity of reproduction.

Key words:Oracle; Family character; Military units; Rock paintings;Symbolic; Reproduction