[[Tian|Tiān]] ([[Tian|天]]) is one of the oldest Chinese terms for heaven and a key concept in Chinese mythology, philosophy, and religion. During the [[Shang]] dynasty ([[-1699-01-01 - -1099-12-31|17th―11th century BCE]]), the Chinese referred to their highest god as [[Shangdi|Shàngdì]] ([[Shangdi|上帝]], "[[Shangdi|Lord Above]]") or [[Shangdi|Dì]] ([[Shangdi|帝]], "Lord"). During the following [[Zhou|Zhou dynasty]], [[Tian|Tiān]] became synonymous with this figure. [[1900-xx-xx|Before the 20th century]], worship of [[Tian|Tiān]] was an orthodox state religion of [[China]].