History glossary
Mandate of Heaven
the Zhou idea that Heaven grants rulers power only while they govern justly.
- Category
- Political and religious idea
- Region
- China
- Date range
- from the early Zhou period
What it means
The Mandate of Heaven was a Zhou political doctrine used to explain why the Shang could be overthrown. It argued that Heaven supported a ruler who governed morally and cared for the people, but could withdraw that support from a corrupt or failing dynasty.
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