Final answer:
The heavenly force thought to bestow power on Chinese rulers was known as the Mandate of Heaven. It was a divine right that could be gained or lost based on the ruler's virtue and the prosperity of the state, influencing the continuity and legitimacy of Chinese dynasties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mandate of Heaven is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept that refers to the divine right to rule bestowed upon an emperor by the heavens. This mandates the requirement for rulers to maintain moral integrity and just governance. It originates from the Zhou dynasty as a justification for the overthrow of the Shang dynasty and was used to explain the rise and fall of dynasties, popular throughout Chinese history until at least 1911. This ideology indicates that a virtuous ruler gains the mandate while misrule can lead to its loss, often signified by natural disasters or social upheaval as signs of heaven's displeasure.
The Mandate of Heaven ensured continuity of leadership but also held a ruler accountable for their actions, making it both an empowering and restricting force. It was deeply intertwined with Confucianism, which emphasized moral leadership. Furthermore, the mandate could be invoked by various Chinese groups and even by foreign conquerors, such as the Mongols and Jurchen, to legitimize their rule over China.