The religious practice of the Zhou empire reflected their hierarchical way of life.

The Zhou kings believed that they were given a mandate from heaven to rule.

The kings prayed and sacrificed to Shang Ti, the Lord on High, now called T'ien (Heaven), and to their ancestors.

The lords of the territories prayed to the local nature gods and to the gods of agriculture in addition to their ancestors.

If any sacrifices or prayers were missed, great ill was predicted to fall on the territory or kingdom of the neglectful leader.