Abstract: Wang Mang's moving upward to the core of power from the lower level of the nobles,and his taking the emperor's throne without violence are closely related to the social public opinion in the late Western Han Dynasty. The severe social crisis at the end of the Western Han Dynasty fueled the public longing for a new throne, which laid a theoretical and public opinion foundation for Wang Mang taking the throne. Wang Mang's courtesy, resignation, and sympathy, created a good personal image and won him praises in and outside the imperial court, and made him a "sage" supported by people from all walks of life. Rumors on the fabricated divine signs that the throne of the Western Han Dynasty is doomed to be taken by Wang Mang "forced" him to set up the Xin regime. Public opinion guided and promoted the peaceful transition of the Western Han regime.

Key words: Wang Mang, the Western Han Dynasty, transition of imperial regime, chorus praise, divine signs