When was the compass invented? What's the impact on China?

The invention of "compass" is regarded as one of the "four great inventions" in ancient China, and it is a display of the wisdom of ancient people in China. The discovery of "Compass" helped to solve many problems in China's ancient travel and navigation, greatly expanded foreign exchanges, brought them closer together, and promoted the economic and cultural development of both sides.

The invention of "compass" originated when there is still no accurate answer. There is a saying from Cui Bao's Notes on Ancient and Modern Times in the Western Jin Dynasty: "The Yellow Emperor and Chiyou fought in the wild of Zhuolu. In this battle, except the compass. Therefore, according to historical records, the compass was invented by Xuanyuan, the Yellow Emperor of China, around 2700 BC. Huangdi used a compass to tell the direction in the fog and defeated Chiyou. But now, according to the world official, the compass, one of the four great inventions in China, was invented in the Warring States period, with a history of more than 2,000 years. But at that time, it was not called compass, it was called Sina. " I believe everyone has heard of the word "Sina", but why is it called Sina? According to historical records, the inventor polished the natural magnet into a spoon shape and placed it on a smooth surface. The spoon-shaped magnet will automatically turn to rest, and the handle of the spoon points to the south, so the name "Sina" comes from this.

In a word, the invention of compass has gone through many processes. His invention is a display of the vigorous development of China's history and culture and the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancient people in China. Compass is also the result of China ancient working people's understanding of magnet magnetism in long-term practice and labor.

As one of four great inventions of ancient china, its invention plays an inestimable role in the development of human science and technology and civilization. In ancient China, he had many functions. At first, the compass can be used for sacrifice and etiquette. Later, it was gradually used in military affairs, divination, and orientation determination when watching geomantic omen. Its widespread use shows the prosperity of ancient civilization in China.