The Mandate of Heaven/Dynastic Cycle (Han)
The Mandate of Heaven is the Chinese belief that a dynasty ends according to heaven when the ruler becomes ill.
River of Sorrows
A river (Huang River Valley) that filled with loess and flooded the land, ruining crops and causing mass starvation.
Feudalism (Zhou)
A system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other terms of support to the ruler.
Confucius’ Ideas on Government
Confucius believed that the people should have good government and the rulers should earn power, not be born into it.
The Five Relationships
Elder to younger, man to woman, friend to friend, parent to child, man to man.
Filial Piety
The belief that if children are raised to respect their parents, they will respect the government later in life.
Daoism
The philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Dao. The term Dao means “way”, “path” or “principle”.
Laozi
A philosopher and poet of ancient China. He was the founder of philosophical Daoism.
Oracle Bones
Turtle shells or animal bones that are heated until they crack—showing the answers to questions on them.
Calligraphy
The art of beautiful writing.