According to common belief during the Han dynasty, what would a cluster of calamities, prodigies, and heavenly omens usually portend?
A) The people should rally in defense of the emperor to prevent further disorder.
B) The emperor possessed the mandate of heaven.
C) The emperor had lost the mandate of heaven.
D) The emperor should be put to death for angering the gods.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the context of the Han dynasty and broader Chinese imperial history, a cluster of calamities, prodigies, and heavenly omens was often interpreted as a sign that the current emperor had lost the Mandate of Heaven. This concept was central to Chinese political and religious ideology, suggesting that the right to rule was granted by the heavens based on the virtue and ability of the ruler or ruling dynasty. When natural disasters, famines, or unusual astronomical events occurred, they were seen as indications that the emperor was no longer favored by the heavens, thus losing the mandate.

According to Common Belief During the Han Dynasty, What Would