Monday, April 25, 2022

The Mandate of Heaven

 Given what is happening in China now, I'm guessing the Mandate has been withdrawn by the Jade Emperor.


This is a worthwhile read as it give insight into the Chinese cultural/political mindset, in spite of its thin veneer of foreign communism.

This roundeye believes Chairman Xi's behavior is not pleasing to the Jade Emperor.  Do not anger the Jade Emperor.

"The earliest figure in Chinese folklore whom Sīmǎ Qiān figured was a real being rather than a mythical figure, the Yellow Emperor was born to the king or chief of a tribe located near modern Tianshui in Ginsu province. He would unite all the kingdoms and tribes of the central plains in a battle against a rival named Chīyóu who held nine peoples under his sway.

The Yellow Emperor would lead his coalition to victory and then took them to Mount Tai near Tai’an in Shandong province. There, he led the kings and chieftains in the performance of rites and sacrifices to the Jade Emperor - the chief deity in most Chinese folk religions - and divided up the land between these leaders and their peoples.

The Mandate of Heaven is a highly meritocratic vision of the divine right to rule. So long as the current rulers were just and wise, performing the rites in a pious manner and fulfilling their filial obligations as outlined by Confucius, the Jade Emperor would retain them as the Emperor of China in his name. But, should the ruler grow wicked through decadence and begin to abuse his power, the Jade Emperor would remove that divine right to rule and a new Dynasty would overthrow them and take their place as agents of heaven."

2 comments:

  1. Ergo the reason why China eats its own rulers every 75 to 150 years.

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  2. Given the state of things at home, does that seem such a bad concept?

    Might be a metaphor for the watering of Ye Olde Tree of Liberty, 'n all.

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