Mandate of Heaven

noun3

1. •
   Any such mandate or blessing.
2. •
   The Chinese philosophical concept of the circumstances under which a ruler is allowed to rule. Good rulers would be allowed to rule with the Mandate of Heaven, and despotic, unjust rulers would have the Mandate revoked by disasters or revolution.
3. •
   (humorous, figurative) The preeminence of an incumbent or institution other than that of the rulers of China.