imperial edict
Emperor's official order
An imperial edict is an official decree issued by an emperor or empress, carrying the force of law throughout the empire.
Such pronouncements were historically delivered with elaborate ceremony and formal language: The imperial edict forbade foreign trade.
The phrase evokes absolute authority—commands issued from on high that subjects must obey without question.
- writCourt-issued directive
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
seal · rescript · scroll · official document · directive · ukase · charter · parchment · promulgation · throne · divine right · wax · ordinance · fiat · scribe · royal · quill · sovereignty
- decreesdecree, proclamation, fiat, dictate, dictum
- Japanese Emperorenthronement, divine status, abdication, regency
- royal decreesroyal decree, royal decrees, decree, decrees, royal edicts
- Chinese lawcriminal code, marriage law, inheritance law, judicial reform, penal servitude
- Xinhai RevolutionSun Yat-sen, Republic of China, abdication, provisional government, republican movement
authority and bindingness
imperial edictsuggestion
Idea proposed for consideration
request · plea · humble request · supplication · petition