Question

In what order does a dynasty gain and lose power in the Mandate of Heaven?

Answer 1

The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious doctrine to justify the rule of the King or Emperor of China. According to this belief, Heaven bestows a mandate on the ruler of China. However, if he was overthrown, or if natural disasters occurred, this was considered an indication that the ruler had lost the mandate. Therefore, civilian rebellions were accepted as part of the cycle. The cycle had the following pattern:

• A New Dynasty Rises
• A New Dynasty Rules
• Mandate of Heaven Lost by the Dynasty
• The Dynasty Grows Weak
• Period of Violence Follows

According to Chinese citizens, a new dynasty would rise and become powerful. This would lead them to rule as long as they received the mandate of heaven. However, if heaven was displeased with the ruler, the dynasty would lose its mandate. As a consequence, China would experience natural disasters, rebellions and the weakening of the dynasty. A period of violence and rebellion on the part of the citizens would follow, until a different dynasty arose from the chaos and became the ruling dynasty and the cycle continued.