ABSTRACT
This study analyses three terms: First, mandate of heaven (tianming) already in the first millennium BCE meant a secular “destiny” or “allotted life span.” The scope of human affairs—between sky and earth—determines a person’s and society’s life. Second, destiny-and-fortune (mingyun) expresses a distinct dialectic. While ming (命) means “destiny” or “fate,” yun (ff) indicates that conscientious effort can change one’s destiny. Literally, it means to “move one’s fate,” which provides an angle for understanding the history of peasant revolutions in China. Third is people’s needs, the determining factor in a ruler’s “allotted life span.” If the ruler ensured adequate food and shelter, as well as social stability and harmony, then the ruler’s “allotted life span” would be long. If not, the people would rebel. To illustrate, the author provides two case studies of peasant revolutions: Liu Bang (third century BCE) and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (nineteenth century CE).
