Difference between revisions of "Tian" - New World Encyclopedia
Scott Dunbar (talk | contribs) (Imported and credited article from Wikipedia. (Also added categories.)) |
Scott Dunbar (talk | contribs) m |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Tian''' (天 | + | '''Tian''' (天 Pinyin Tiān) is the Chinese character for ''heaven'' or ''sky''. As such, it holds an important place in many Chinese belief systems such as [[Mohism]], [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]]. The ideograph itself suggests the expanse of sky above the earth on which humans dwell, thereby giving rise to the term "''Tianxia''" (天下 [[All under heaven]]); the phrase is often used to describe the earthly domicile in Chinese literature. |
Tian sometimes seems to be God itself, or Heaven, or the entire [[celestial bureaucracy]]. Therefore, it is often difficult to ascertain whether Tian is being used to mean a personal force or an impersonal one. | Tian sometimes seems to be God itself, or Heaven, or the entire [[celestial bureaucracy]]. Therefore, it is often difficult to ascertain whether Tian is being used to mean a personal force or an impersonal one. | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* [[Herrlee Creel|Creel, Herrlee G.]], ''The Origins of Statecraft in China'' ISBN 0226120430 | * [[Herrlee Creel|Creel, Herrlee G.]], ''The Origins of Statecraft in China'' ISBN 0226120430 | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | [[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | ||
Revision as of 17:14, 18 October 2006
Tian (天 Pinyin Tiān) is the Chinese character for heaven or sky. As such, it holds an important place in many Chinese belief systems such as Mohism, Taoism and Confucianism. The ideograph itself suggests the expanse of sky above the earth on which humans dwell, thereby giving rise to the term "Tianxia" (天下 All under heaven); the phrase is often used to describe the earthly domicile in Chinese literature.
Tian sometimes seems to be God itself, or Heaven, or the entire celestial bureaucracy. Therefore, it is often difficult to ascertain whether Tian is being used to mean a personal force or an impersonal one.
Although the Zhou Dynasty claimed that their deity, Tian, originated with the Xia Dynasty, modern historians believe that Tian was originally a deity worshipped only by the Zhou people. In the beginning, Tian likely referred to esteemed ancestors. After conquering the Shang Dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty merged their deity, Tian, with that of the Shang, Di (Shangdi). By the time of the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, Tian acquired the ability to alter the Mandate of Heaven and was linked to the Zhou Emperor, who was considered to be the "Son of Heaven".
See also
- Chinese mythology
- Emperor of China
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Creel, Herrlee G., The Origins of Statecraft in China ISBN 0226120430
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
