Son of Heaven; emperor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
Son of Heaven; emperor; sovereign (title for Chinese rulers who claimed divine mandate to govern)
archaicHistorical term originating from the Zhou dynasty, reflecting the concept of the Mandate of Heaven (天命). The ruler was considered the earthly representative of the supreme deity (天) and held legitimacy based on divine approval. Still used in historical contexts and formal writing.
Zhōu周
tiān天
zǐ子
shì是
tiān天
xià下
gòng共
zhǔ主
，
zhū诸
hóu侯
dōu都
xiàng向
tā他
cháo朝
gòng贡
。
The Zhou Son of Heaven was the sovereign of all under heaven, and the feudal lords all paid tribute to him.
Gǔ古
dài代
de的
tiān天
zǐ子
xiǎng享
yǒu有
zhì至
gāo高
wú无
shàng上
de的
quán权
lì力
。
The Sons of Heaven in ancient times enjoyed supreme power.
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Zhè这
wèi位
tiān天
zǐ子
yǐ以
rén仁
dé德
zhì治
lǐ理
tiān天
xià下
，
shēn深
shòu受
bǎi百
xìng姓
ài爱
dài戴
。
This emperor governed the world with benevolence and virtue, earning the deep affection of the common people.
Tiān天
zǐ子
jiǎo脚
xià下
，
cùn寸
tǔ土
cùn寸
jīn金
。
At the foot of the Son of Heaven (the capital), every inch of land is worth an inch of gold.