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Song Dynasty Compass

Type Object Region China Time 1031–1040

In the first half of the 11th century, Chinese mounted magnetic needles in boats or on compasses for maritime orientation and geomantic divination;…

Timeline

  1. c. 1035Southeast coast · southeast coastBoatmen rubbed magnetite against iron needles to magnetize them, placing them in a bowl of water or a compass to indicate direction, used for night voyages in overcast weather and holding ocean courses, as well as for feng shui and geomantic divination.

Sources