Mandate of Heaven: The Ancient Chinese Concept of Royal Authority

The former order that gave kings the power to rule in Chinese terms is known as the 'Mandate of Heaven' (天命). It was a belief system that originated in ancient China, where it was believed that the ruler of a dynasty was given the right to rule by the gods or heaven. The 'Mandate of Heaven' was used to justify the rule of a dynasty and to explain the rise and fall of dynasties. If a ruler was just and ruled well, he would keep the 'Mandate of Heaven', but if he was corrupt or incompetent, the 'Mandate of Heaven' would be taken away and given to a new ruler.