Mandate of Heaven

This term refers to the political and philosophical ideals used to legitimize dynastic regime changes during the time of the Ancient Jiao empires. According to this doctrine, heaven (天, Tian) – which embodies the natural order and will of the universe – bestows the mandate on a just ruler of the Mythic Land of Jiao, the "Chosen of Heaven". If a ruler was overthrown, this was interpreted as an indication that the ruler was unworthy, and had lost the mandate. It was also a common belief that natural disasters such as famine and flood were divine retributions bearing signs of Heaven's displeasure with the ruler, so there would often be revolts following major disasters as the people saw these calamities as signs that the Mandate of Heaven had been withdrawn.

Good and just rulers were characterized by large swaths of unified land, impressive destruction of violent monster incursions, and revolt or rebellion by the upset masses was a sign of divine retribution for a ruler who had lost the mandate.
This philosophy has not been entirely abandoned, but its scope has diminished. For the first time in more than 1000 years, King of Jiaohai Lang Wen is claiming to have the Mandate of Heaven and the right to unite the kingdoms of the Jiao Alliance under his rule. To further this claim, he is said to have captured and killed a Fuzhu.

History

The Jiao (people) are of supreme importance; the shrines of the gods of each realm come next; last comes the ruler. That is why one who gains the confidence of the multitudinous Jiao will be Emperor... When a feudal lord endangers the altars of the gods of the universe, he should be replaced. When the sacrificial animals are sleek, the offerings are clean and the sacrifices are observed at due times, and yet floods and droughts come as a gift of Tian, then the altars and gods should,too, be replaced.
— Mèngzǐ

In the year 921 of the Celestial Calendar, in the 10th Month, Dancing Phoenix went with an entourage of warriors to the mountains outside of Jiaohai. At the peak, Taiyi Zhenren performed a divine ritual to lead the spirits from their bodies to The Golden Tower of Heaven, where they asked Yu Huang, the Jade God himself, for the Mandate of Heaven. He was promised the Mandate if he could lead the Dragon Generals against Lang Wen, and crown himself Emperor.

Participants

Many of the dynastic ruling families in during the time of the Ancient Jiao relied on the philosophy of the Mandate of Heaven to legitimize their claim to rulership. One of the key roles in this tradition is the rebellion of the people against unfit rulers; when a new hopeful ruler tries to take the empire or kingdom, they will attempt to use the Mandate of Heaven to rally the common folk against the incumbent emperors.

The Other Mandate of Heaven

Dragons who have their names written in the Scroll of Heavenly Coronation by the Jade God Yu Huang are elevated above the status of even the most ancient and powerful of dragons, given celestial power to affect the balance of the cosmos. These Dragons are called Dragon Gods or Dragon Kings. This ascension to godhood is called "receiving the Mandate of Heaven" by the Dragons who earn this honor.
Outside of the Mythic Land of Jiao, these legendary dragons are called Imperial Dragons, a reference to their association with the lost empires of the Ancient Jiao.

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Primary Related Location

Jiaohai

Important Locations

• Mythic Land of Jiao

Related Organizations

• Five Dragon Gods
• Jiao Alliance
• Kingdom of Jiaohai
• The Celestial Administration

Related Ethnicities

• Jiao