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Definition of Mandate of Heaven
1. Proper noun. Translation of "??" name of the Qing Dynasty (gloss in Mandarin "Ti?nmìng") ¹
2. Proper noun. The philosophical construct that is the basis of the authority of the Son of Heaven. ¹
3. Noun. Any such mandate or blessing. ¹
4. Noun. The Chinese philosophical concept of the circumstances under which a ruler is allowed to rule. Good rulers would be allowed to rule with the Mandate of heaven, and despotic, unjust rulers would have the Mandate revoked. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com