Abstract: Among the axial-age civilizations identified by Jaspers,both ancient Greece and ancient India experienced cultural fracture prior to the axial age.In contrast,only the Chinese axial-age civilization maintains historical and cultural continuity.Therefore,the intellectual and cultural breakthroughs of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were grounded in and presupposed earlier breakthroughs that had occurred centuries before.According to Jaspers' theory,the defining characteristic of the axial age was a profound breakthrough from tradition.By this criterion,it is reasonable to argue that China experienced a “pre-axial age” prior to the axial period.In the 11th century BCE,during the transition from the Shang (Yin) to the Zhou dynasty,Duke Zhou reflected deeply on this transformative historical shift and developed a revolutionary new understanding of the Mandate of Heaven.He realized that the Mandate of Heaven could be reduced to the will of people and would change in accordance with their support or opposition.Thus,if the Zhou wants to sustain the Mandate of Heaven,they must govern with virtue and safeguard the welfare of the people.This constituted a major ideological breakthrough regarding the relationship between the heaven and humanity.Building upon this insight,Duke Zhou further achieved a series of interconnected breakthroughs that emphasized both continuity and unity.In terms of continuity,the Xia,Shang,and Zhou dynasties transitioned from a synchronic,parallel structure to a diachronic,continuous lineage.This shift gave rise to the concept of the “Three Dynasties” and a historical consciousness that emphasized continuity through change,reflecting a distinct form of historical rationality.In terms of unity,the establishment of the feudal and patriarchal clan systems contributed to a politically and culturally unified order during the Western Zhou dynasty.The idea of “all under heaven as one family”,rooted in the doctrine of “the Mandate of Heaven is the people's will”,played a crucial role in shaping cultural identity throughout Chinese history,fostering ethnic integration and preserving national cohesion.The axial civilization of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods exemplified by Confucius' doctrine of “Ren”,was a direct continuation and further development of the pre-axial civilization initiated by Duke Zhou.

Key words: the axial age, the pre-axial age, Duke Zhou, Confucius