English

Proper noun

Mandate of Heaven

1. Translation of "天命" name of the Qing Dynasty (in Mandarin "Tiānmìng")

Etymology 2

Translation of the Literary Chinese 天命

Proper noun

Mandate of Heaven

1. The philosophical construct that is the basis of the authority of the Son of Heaven.

Noun

Mandate of Heaven ‎(plural Mandates of Heaven)

1. Any such mandate or blessing.
2. The Chinese philosophical concept of the circumstances under which a ruler is allowed to rule. Good rulers would be allowed to rule with the Mandate of heaven, and despotic, unjust rulers would have the Mandate revoked.

Translations

Related terms

• Son of Heaven
• Celestial Empire