4 principles1.Heaven grants the emperor the right to rule2.Since there is only one Heaven, there can only be one emperor at any given time,3.The emperor's virtue determines his right to rule4.No one dynasty has a permanent right to rule.
An emperor is over thrown when he compromises any part of the mandate of heaven
A new emperor receives the mandate once he has overthrown the previous emperor
The mandate of heaven is important because it convinces the emperors subjects that they have a right to rule,and they will not become corrupt.