Cifra, Mikhail S.

September 3, 2020
Ged104_OL102 IPM1

ANCIENT CHINESE/ORIENTAL PERIOD

THE ANCIENT CHINESE COMPASS

Source: Pngkey
Link: https://www.pngkey.com/detail/u2w7e6q8i1q8y3u2_ancient-china-for-kids-ancient-chinese-compass/

The Ancient Chinese compass is a spoon-shaped compass that is made out of lodestone and is
placed on top of a cast bronze plate which dates back to the Han Dynasty. The spoon freely
points towards south by the Earth’s magnetism and it was used for fortune-telling and navigation
(Silverman, n.d.).
CHECKPOINT QUESTIONS

1. What is the invention?

 The invention is the ancient Chinese compass which is composed of a pointer which is a
spoon that is made out of lodestone (iron oxide) and a plate made out of bronze wherein the
spoon is placed on top. The spoon freely spins around on top of the plate and, unlike our
modern compass, always points towards south through the magnetization of the Earth’s
poles. It was used to maintain prosperity with nature, fortune and future-telling, and finally,
navigation (Heather, n.d.)

2. What are the precursors of your chosen invention? What tools existed prior to it or how did
people carry out activities before its invention?
 Before the ancient Chinese compass existed, people navigate directions through
constellations, landmarks, and visual marks that are present in their environment and
surroundings. Navigation was very challenging since a lot of environmental factors can
hinder one to identify such visual marks like rain, fog, or cloudy skies.

3. What were the social, political, cultural, or economic contexts in which the invention was
made?
 In a cultural context, the ancient Chinese compass was made in order to enhance their
beliefs and spirituality through the use of technology and tangible objects and in order to
determine where luck and good fortune can be found and harmonize with their
environment. On the other hand, in an economic context, the compass was made in order
for hunters and gatherers to navigate properly through the wilderness to find food and
natural resources without being hindered by natural causes like rain.

4. What were the social, political, cultural, or economic impacts of your chosen invention?
 After the ancient Chinese compass was made and utilized by the ancient people, they were
able to spiritually connect with their environment and further enhanced and strengthened
their beliefs. Their people also enhanced their navigation skills and techniques which
contributed to farther and larger scale navigations and land mass mensuration. It introduced
the concept of compasses, magnetism, and directions which contributed to the development
of our modern compass and navigation operations.

REFERENCES

Heather (n.d.). Chinese compass history: Invention, dynasty and navigation. Learn Chinese
History. Retrieved from https://www.learnchinesehistory.com/history-chinese-compass/

Pngkey (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pngkey.com/detail/u2w7e6q8i1q8y3u2_ancient-

china-for-kids-ancient-chinese-compass/

Silverman, S. (n.d.). Compass, China, 220 BCE. Retrieved from

https://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/compass2.html