Tiananmen
/ˌtiː.ænˈæn.mən/; Mandarin: /tʰjɛ́n ʔán mə̌n/noun
A historic gate and landmark in Beijing, China, whose name is also associated with the square directly south of it.
Did you know?The gate’s name reflects the traditional Chinese concept of the Mandate of Heaven, in which political authority was understood as dependent on cosmic approval and moral rule.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese, before 1st century CE
Old Chinese
天安門
“The component characters mean “heaven,” “peace,” and “gate”; the phrase is a Sino-Chinese name rather than a single inherited word.”
Ming dynasty, 15th Century
Chinese
承天門 (Chéngtiānmén)
““Gate of Receiving Heaven”; the original name of the gate built during the Ming dynasty in Beijing.”
1651
Manchu-era Chinese
天安門 (Tiān'ānmén)
““Gate of Heavenly Peace”; the gate was rebuilt and renamed under the Qing dynasty.”
1912
Modern Chinese
天安門
“The established name of the ceremonial gate after the fall of the Qing dynasty and creation of the Republic of China.”
20th Century
English
Tiananmen
“An English romanization of the Mandarin name, used for both the gate and, by extension, the public square south of it.”
Modern English
English
Tiananmen
“A globally recognized Chinese proper noun associated with Beijing’s historic gate, Tiananmen Square, and major political events.”