Mandate of Heaven

The people of the Zhou Dynasty believed that their king was given a Mandate of heaven. They also  believed that their king was able to communicate with the spirits. The king also served as a priest. The king  was awarded the Mandate of Heaven by being the son of Tian. The Zhou people believed that their king was chosen by the gods of heaven. Whoever became king was considered Son of Tian. A king could lose the Mandate of Heaven if there was a natural disaster. For example, if there was a flood or hurricane people believed that the gods sent the flood or hurricane to show their unhappiness with the king. Then people rebelled against the king and a new person would receive the Mandate of Heaven and become the new king. This is how a king is believed to get and lose the Mandate of Heaven.