Definition

1. Noun:
   • Heaven's will, Heaven's mandate: The belief or concept that a supreme celestial authority (Heaven) determines the fate, destiny, or right to rule of individuals, especially rulers and dynasties.
   • Divine mandate, Mandate of Heaven: A philosophical and political doctrine in East Asian history, particularly in Vietnam and China, asserting that a ruler's legitimacy is granted and can be revoked by Heaven based on their virtue and the welfare of the people.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Các vị vua thời xưa thường cho rằng quyền cai trị của mình là do thiên mệnh. (Ancient kings often believed their right to rule was due to the Mandate of Heaven.)
  • Triết lý về thiên mệnh có ảnh hưởng sâu sắc đến lịch sử Việt Nam. (The philosophy of the Mandate of Heaven had a profound influence on Vietnamese history.)
  • Anh ấy tin vào thiên mệnh và số phận đã được an bài. (He believes in Heaven's will and a preordained destiny.)

Advanced Usage

• "theo thiên mệnh": according to Heaven's will; by divine decree.
  • Nhà vua tuyên bố lên ngôi là theo thiên mệnh. (The king declared his ascension to the throne was according to the Mandate of Heaven.)
• "mất thiên mệnh": to lose the Mandate of Heaven.
  • Triều đại đó sụp đổ vì được cho là đã mất thiên mệnh. (That dynasty collapsed because it was deemed to have lost the Mandate of Heaven.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thiên ý (n): Heaven's intention; divine will. (A closely related concept, often used in religious or philosophical contexts.)
• Thiên định (v, adj): Decreed by Heaven; predestined. (Emphasizes the aspect of being ordained or fixed by Heaven.)

Synonyms

• Số mệnh, số phận: Fate, destiny. (These are more general terms for personal fate, without the specific connotation of a celestial mandate for rulership.)
• Ý trời: Will of Heaven. (A more direct, less formal synonym.)

Related Phrases

• Thiên mệnh quân tử: (Literally: The gentleman's/heaven's mandate) A classical Confucian concept referring to the moral duty or destiny of a superior man.
• Thuyết thiên mệnh: The doctrine/theory of the Mandate of Heaven.

noun

1. heaven's order, heaven's will