Mandate of Heaven en · NOUN
Etymology
Calque of Literary Chinese 天命 (tiānmìng).
Meanings
- Any such mandate or blessing.
- 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 by disasters or revolution.
- (figuratively, humorous, often) The preeminence of an incumbent or institution other than that of the rulers of China.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandates of Heaven | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Son of Heaven · divine right · Celestial Empire
Translations (9)
vi thiên mệnh (any such mandate or blessing) · cmn 天命 (any such mandate or blessing) · ja 天命 (any such mandate or blessing) · tl Mandato ng Langit (any such mandate or blessing) · pl Mandat Niebios (any such mandate or blessing) · th อาณัติแห่งสวรรค์ (any such mandate or blessing) · km អាណត្តិទេព្ដា (any such mandate or blessing) · ko 천명 (any such mandate or blessing) · km បញ្ជាទេព្ដា (any such mandate or blessing)