西周 ?銅器 銘文에 나타난 ‘天命’의 의미와 활용

Abstract

We can find records of ‘Heaven’s command (天命)’ in the literature and excavated materials prior of the Qin Dynasty. The Heaven’s command was an command order that had a significant impact on the actions and decisions of the ancient china’s kings. They carried out an order by command of the Heaven emperor and also the Heaven’s command was actively used as a means to effectively govern the country along with the legitimacy of power in connection with the ruling class. The term Heaven’s command was frequently used in sentences inscribed on bronze vessels made during the Zhou Dynasty. At that time, Heaven was recognized as a central area that ruled East Asia, creating and developing all things for people, and where the emperor lived. Heaven also played a key role in important historical projects such as the Chisu (治水) project, the replacement of the Ha (夏) and Shang (商) Dynasties, and the replacement of the Shang and Zhou (周) Dynasties. During the national project and the replacement of the dynasty, there was Heaven command ordered by Heaven. Records of these texts and excavated materials suggest that, the ancient times, Heaven was considered the most important place to serve as the center of the empire or the federal headquarters. However, Heaven gradually lost its power during the Warring States period and became symbolic, and Heaven command was changed to an abstract meaning of absolute command or mandatory instructions.