Tianming
/ˌtjɛnˈmɪŋ/noun
A Chinese political-philosophical concept meaning the divine or cosmic authority legitimizing a ruler’s government.
Did you know?In ancient Chinese thought, floods, famine, rebellion, and dynastic collapse could be interpreted as evidence that Heaven had withdrawn its mandate from the emperor.
Etymological Timeline
Late Shang–Early Zhou period
Old Chinese
天命
“The authority or command of Heaven; the written characters mean “Heaven” and “command/fate.””
11th Century BCE
Old Chinese
天命
“Zhou political theology used the concept to explain why Heaven transferred legitimate rule from the Shang dynasty to the Zhou.”
Ancient Chinese texts
Classical Chinese
tiān mìng
“Heaven’s command, cosmic destiny, or the moral legitimacy of a ruler.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
天命
“A continuation of the classical concept, pronounced approximately “then-mìng” in reconstructed readings.”
20th Century
English
tianming
“An English scholarly transliteration of the Chinese concept, often translated as “Mandate of Heaven.””
Modern English
English
Tianming
“A term used in discussions of Chinese history, political philosophy, imperial legitimacy, and dynastic change.”