The Huan River has flowed across this land for thousands of years. More than 3,000 years ago, this was the heart of the Shang Dynasty(c.16th to 11th century BC). A great capital stood here, where rituals shaped social order, agriculture flourished, and master craftsmen created extraordinary works of bronze and jade. Among its greatest legacies are the symbols carved onto oracle bones, preserving the memory of one of the world's earliest civilizations.
In 1928, archaeological excavations at Yinxu began, bringing the long-lost Shang civilization back into public view. On July 13, 2006, Yinxu was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As the first capital site in Chinese history confirmed by both historical records and archaeological evidence, Yinxu stands as a powerful testament to the achievements of the Shang Dynasty and the enduring continuity of Chinese civilization.
On July 13, 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of Yinxu's World Heritage inscription, Kunlun · Huaxia Panorama officially launches its new cultural IP series: Roots of Oracle Bone Civilization. Inspired by Shang civilization, the project reinterprets ancient cultural heritage through contemporary visual design, inviting audiences to explore the origins of Chinese civilization through oracle bones, history, and cultural memory.
I. Oracle Roots: Exploring the Origins of Civilization
Oracle bone script is one of China's earliest known mature writing systems. Inscribed on tortoise shells and animal bones, it records observations of heaven and earth, ancestral rituals, agriculture, and everyday life during the Shang Dynasty. More than 3,000 years later, these ancient symbols still carry the earliest voice of Chinese civilization.
The Roots of Oracle Bone Civilization IP series uses turtle shells as its core visual motif, blending oracle bone script with contemporary design. Ancient characters transform into bronze vessels, mythical creatures, royal cities, mountains, rivers, and landscapes. Through visual storytelling, these early symbols become vivid words that modern audiences can see, understand, and experience.
II. Four Themes: Reconstructing the World of Shang Civilization
The Oracle Roots series unfolds through four themes: Metal, Jade, City, and Script.
Bronze ritual vessels embody social order and ceremonial tradition. Jade artifacts reflect ritual culture and refined aesthetics. Royal cities reveal the prosperity of Shang urban life. Oracle bone script connects the written word with cultural memory.
Together, these four themes paint a richer picture of Shang civilization, and offer a fresh way to explore the wisdom, creativity, and cultural achievements of the ancient Shang people.
Bronze · First Light
Bronze ritual vessels carry the ritual order and brilliance of Shang civilization. Set against the sky and stars, they reflect the ancient belief that rituals connected heaven and earth while bringing harmony to society.
Jade · Reverence for Ritual
Warm and refined, jade objects express status, etiquette, and virtue. Flowing jade patterns and auspicious creatures reveal the elegance and imagination of Shang jade culture.
