a military commander exercising civil power by force, usually in a limited area

a member of an upper class of society, usually make up of hereditary nobility

a person that someone is descended from

a symbol in a writing system based on pictures

a symbol in a writing system that represents a thing or idea

a group of non-elected government officials

having title or possession by reason of birth

the belief that the Chinese king's right to rule came from the gods

Chinese system of beliefs which describes the way a person must rule

to come into being or become known

a straight or narrow sea between two land masses; a canal; narrow body of water between two land masses

of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war, the armed forces

to depend on someone or something; to be dependent; to count on for help; to contribute to

a system of beliefs based on the teachings of Confucius

a Chinese philosophy concerned with obtaining long life and living in harmony with nature

a Chinese philosophy that stressed the importance of laws

the responsibility of children to respect, obey, and care for their parents

the study of the basic ideas about society, education, and right and wrong; basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes

a single human being; human being; person

having things in common; having characteristics in common

a group of people who are at a similar cultural, economic, or educational level

an official who watches others for correct behavior

something, such as coins or paper money, that is used as a medium of exchange; money in the form of coins or paper

the administrative service of a government

a farmer who works land owned by someone else and pays rent in cash or as a share of the crop

an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to treat disease or relieve pain

to bring together in one unit; to join; to make into one group

a group of individuals born and living at the same time; the time span between the birth of parents and the birth of their children

a connected group or system; a system where all parts are connected

a connecting element or factor; to connect; to join

a wheel made to turn by the water flowing against it