<P> The Mandate of Heaven does not require a legitimate ruler to be of noble birth, depending instead on the just and able performance of the rulers and their heirs . Dynasties such as the Han and Ming dynasties were founded by men of common origins . The concept is in some ways similar to the European concept of the divine right of kings; however, unlike the European concept, it does not confer an unconditional right to rule . The Mandate would be a preoccupation in a rulers lifetime, where they would hold onto the Mandate and live according to Heavens . Intrinsic to the concept of the Mandate of Heaven was the right of rebellion against an unjust ruler . Chinese historians interpreted a successful revolt as evidence that Heaven had withdrawn its mandate from the ruler . Throughout Chinese history, times of poverty and natural disasters were often taken as signs that heaven considered the incumbent ruler unjust and thus in need of replacement . The Mandate of Heaven was often invoked by philosophers and scholars in China as a way to curtail the abuse of power by the ruler . While each dynasty was not the same, they each had a lineage that passed on the prospective ruler by order of generational descent or their priority of birth . Many emperors during the imperial times would optimize to have many sons who could be candidates to fill the position after the current ruler has died . In addition Heaven was thought to be of how a ruler's works and performance was, which reflected upon how favorable they would be to Heaven . </P> <P> Such as Mencius, a great philosopher who many thought was the successor to Confucius proclaimed: </P> <P> The people are of supreme importance; the altars of the gods of earth and grain come next; last comes the ruler . That is why he who gains the confidence of the multitudinous people will be Emperor...When a feudal lord endangers the altars of the gods of earth and grain, he should be replaced . When the sacrificial animals are sleek, the offerings are clean and the sacrifices are observed at due times, and yet floods and droughts come (by the agency of heaven), then the altars should be replaced . </P> <P> The concept of the Mandate of Heaven was first used to support the rule of the kings of the Zhou dynasty (1046--256 BCE), and legitimize their overthrow of the earlier Shang dynasty (1600--1069 BCE). It was used throughout the history of China to legitimize the successful overthrow and installation of new emperors, including non-Han ethnic monarchs such as the Qing dynasty (1636 - 1912). This concept was also used by monarchs in neighboring countries like Korea and Vietnam . </P>

In confucianism what does the mandate of heaven state