Shang oracle bones contain multiple solar eclipse records, including the famous divination "On the guiyou day, divined: the sun had an eclipse at dusk — auspicious?" Another records "the sky darkened, three stars appeared" during an eclipse.
Account
Shang oracle bones contain multiple solar eclipse records. The famous divination reads: "On the guiyou day, divined: the sun had an eclipse at dusk — auspicious? On the guiyou day, divined: the sun had an eclipse at dusk — not auspicious?" Another inscription records: "At dawn on the yimao day, heavy fog; three times the sun was eaten, and a great star appeared" — describing the darkness and bright stars visible during a solar eclipse.
Sources
- Yinxu oracle bones