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Tang Dynasty Sinan Direction-Finding Device

Type Object Region China Time c. 200–900

Sinan, indicating north-south with natural lodestone, continued the Han spoon-shaped tradition and in the Tang combined with geomancy, marching, and …

Timeline

  1. c. 650–700Chang'an · Shaanxi ProvinceThe Tang court and ritual system still used the Han-era sinan—a magnetic spoon placed on a ground plate—to indicate direction for divination of orientation and ceremonial display.
  2. c. 701–755Luoyang · Henan ProvinceThe New Book of Tang's Treatise on the Five Phases records lodestone's power to attract iron; geomancers used lodestone to fix compass angles, tightly linking direction-finding devices with capital construction and tomb orientation.
  3. c. 756–800Yangzhou · Jiangsu ProvinceAfter the An Lushan Rebellion, Jianghuai became a hub of grain tribute and sea transport; rising practical demand for lodestone direction-finders in military marches and merchant ships' night voyages drove the transition from sinan to magnetic needles.

Sources