What was the primary focus of the Chinese tradition concerning celestial disturbances?
Answer
Omens impacting the Emperor's mandate.
While various cultures used sky observation for different purposes, the Chinese tradition centered its focus heavily on the political and divine connection between the heavens and the ruler. They viewed extraordinary celestial events, such as the appearance of comets or supernovae, not merely as scientific curiosities but as direct omens or signs that reflected upon the legitimacy and fate of the reigning Emperor. This perspective necessitated meticulous, long-term record-keeping of such disturbances to monitor the perceived stability of the Emperor's divine mandate.
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