In 221 BC, the First Emperor put an end to the situation of the Warring States Period, unified China, and established an unprecedented unified dynasty. However, he needs to further consolidate his dominance to increase his legitimacy. Therefore, the First Emperor decided to perform the Taishan Zen Sealing Ceremony, which became an opportunity for him to show off his achievements and expand his prestige.
Emperor Shi respected himself as a man of great deeds, and he considered his unification of China to be an unprecedented feat. Before he ascended to the throne of unification, the land of China was plagued by war and chaos. Various countries are fighting each other, attacking each other, and the people are struggling to survive. The First Emperor was able to put an end to this situation, unify China, and bring peace and prosperity to the people. Such an achievement was crucial to his personal and dynastic legitimacy.
The five elements are mutually reinforcing.
The First Emperor set his title as:"Emperor", which is a symbol of his power. "Wang"Although it is a common title for the rulers of various countries, it is no longer enough for the First Emperor to express his extraordinary status. By using a one-of-a-kind"Emperor"title, he was able to highlight his uniqueness and uniqueness.
Qi Huan Gong. The First Emperor also popularized the theory of the continuity of the five virtues, which is a concept that explains the succession of dynasties through the way the five elements are mutually reinforcing. Historically, dynastic changes have often been accompanied by social changes and disasters, and this theory provides rulers with a reasonable way to explain the change of power. The First Emperor applied it to his rule, declaring that the fire virtue of the Zhou dynasty had come to an end and that the water virtue of the Great Qin Dynasty had taken its place. Such an explanation gives his rule more legitimacy because it is closely related to the laws of nature.
Tarzan stone carvings. The enshrinement of Mount Tai is an important ritual performed by the First Emperor in order to accept the mandate of heaven. Mount Tai is considered to be the sacred mountain of the East in China and represents a connection with the heavenly spirits. The First Emperor believed that by ascending Mount Tai, he could receive the approval and blessing of the heavens. At the heart of this ritual is to place oneself between heaven and earth and receive the symbol of the Mandate of Heaven.
Although other Chinese emperors also performed the ritual of enshrinement of Mount Tai after the First Emperor, the First Emperor was the first to enshrine Zen, and he started the tradition. Feng Chan Taishan thus became a symbol of the great unified dynasty and strengthened the legitimacy of the monarchy. The holding of Mount Tai is not only a grand event, but also a powerful way to show the authority and majesty of the first emperor to the world.
The First Emperor consolidated his legitimacy as ruler through the Taishan Zen Ceremony. His great cause of unification, his new title"Emperor", the promotion of the theory of the five virtues, and the enshrinement of Mount Tai undoubtedly reflect his efforts in the pursuit of dominance and prestige.
Mount Tai is not only a ceremony, but also a symbol and declaration. By ascending Mount Tai and accepting the symbol of the Mandate of Heaven, the First Emperor declared the legitimacy of his rule to the people of the world. Deeply rooted in ancient Chinese cultural beliefs and traditions, this ritual brought authority and dignity to the Great Qin Dynasty.