What was Sinan like in the Warring States Period

What was Sinan like in the Warring States Period

Sinan was invented during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period to indicate the north-south direction. Before that, the ancients had discovered a special kind of stone, which has the magnetism of attracting iron, called a magnet. Later, it was discovered that strip-shaped magnets could indicate the north-south direction. As a result, the craftsmen grind and chisel the magnet into a spoon shape and place it on a polished bronze chassis, which is engraved with gossip and stems indicating the position.

Move the magnetic spoon with your hand. When it stops rotating, the direction of the handle of the spoon is true south, and the direction of the mouth of the spoon is true north. This is the earliest pointing instrument in the world, called Sinan. "Secretary" means "referring to".

It can be said that Sinan is the predecessor of Feng Shui Compass.