tian
Tian (天) is one of the oldest Chinese terms for heaven or the cosmos and is a central concept in Chinese mythology, philosophy, and cosmology. During the Shang dynasty (17th–11th century BCE), the highest deity was referred to as Shangdi or Di (帝, "Lord"). In the subsequent Zhou dynasty, Tian became synonymous with this figure. Prior to the 20th century, the worship of Tian was considered an orthodox cosmic principle in China.
In Taoism and Confucianism, Tian is described in relation to its complementary aspect Dì (地), which is the term for Earth. Together, they were understood to represent the two poles of reality, with Humanity (人, rén) occupying the Earth realm.
Tian has had multiple meanings or roles attached to it. It was thought of as a supreme power over other gods and humans, a force that could bring order or catastrophe, destiny, a deity, or even a holy world or afterlife.
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