The Ming dynasty emphasized the emperor's centrality while reinforcing political and social hierarchies through public rituals, divine mandate, and the elimination of civil and military cults.
The Ming dynasty emphasized the emperor's centrality while reinforcing political and social hierarchies in a number of ways:
- The Ming oversaw public rituals that demonstrated the emperor's role as the mediator of the affairs of gods and men, highlighting his authority and divine mandate.
- The Ming declared the emperor to be the shadow of God on earth, further emphasizing his position as the ultimate authority.
- They also eliminated civil and military cults, considered threats to Ming authority, to consolidate power in the emperor's hands.
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