SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

heavenly mandate

  • The Analects – Chapter 9.6

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    Ana

    The Grand Steward asked Zigong, “Is your Master a sage? How is it that he possesses so many talents?” Zigong replied, “Heaven surely destined him to become a sage, and furthermore endowed him with diverse abilities.” When Confucius heard this, he said, “Does the Grand Steward really understand me? In my youth I was…

  • Two Serpents: One White, One Green[Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    The first chapter of Romance of the Three Kingdoms skillfully juxtaposes two stories about “emperors and serpents”: one is the legend of the founding emperor, Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty, slaying a white serpent to rise in rebellion, and the other is the omen of the last emperor, Emperor Ling of Han, fainting…

  • The Analects – Chapter 53 (3.13). Heaven’s mandate vs. Earthly power

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    Juan

    3.13 Wangsun Jia asked about the meaning of the saying, Better pay court to the stove.Than pay court to the Shrine. The Master said, “It is not true. He who has put himself in the wrong with Heaven has no means of expiation left.”