指南针的发明英文介绍.docxVIP

指南针的发明英文介绍  The Invention of the Compass The compass was an ancient invention that revolutionized navigation and exploration worldwide. It allowed sailors and adventurers to navigate through vast oceans and territories with accuracy, precision, and reliability. The compass was a groundbreaking tool that enabled humans to explore new lands, conquer new territories, and establish new connections across oceans and continents. The invention of the compass is attributed to the Chinese, who used magnetic lodestones for divination and geomancy. The earliest recorded use of the compass was in the Chinese scripture Guanzi, in which it was called si nan or south-pointing spoon. According to legend, the compass was invented by a Chinese emperor called Shun in the 28th century BC. Shun, who was a great astronomer and geomancer, discovered that a magnetic stone could be used to point southwards, regardless of the position or orientation of the spoon. The Chinese later improved the compass by making it more accurate and sophisticated. They replaced the spoon with a magnetized needle, called zhenbei or true north needle, that would point towards the North Pole. The needle was mounted on a wooden board, and the board was marked with the eight directions of the compass: north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. The compass was also used in feng shui, the Chinese system of geomancy that determines the orientation and auspiciousness of buildings and structures. The compass was introduced to the West via the Arabic world, where it was known as al-?āfi?a or the pointer. The Arabs used the compass for navigation, trade, and travel, and they also expanded on its design and functionality. They added a circular card, called qibla, that was divided into 32 points, and they also marked the card with the names of the stars and constellations. The compass was eventually adopted by European navigators and explorers in the 12th century, during the Age of Disc