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A Brief History of Ancient Chinese Sailing Directions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2009

Sun Guang-Qi
Sun Guang-Qi
Affiliation:
(Dalian Maritime University,China)
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Abstract

This paper, based on documentary records, attempts a brief, systematic investigation of the main characteristics of ancient Chinese sailing directions in terms of content and form as well as development. The evolution of Chinese sailing directions can be divided historically into the following periods and categories:

1. Non-written records.

2. Primitive written forms.

3. From non-quantitative description to quantitative description.

4. Quantitative description with charts,

5 . Charts aided by written descriptions.

In the course of his examination of these categories, the author analyses the most important sailing directions in Chinese history, and concludes that, Zheng He Hang Hai Tu (Zheng He's Nautical Charts) compiled in the first half of the fifteenth century, are not only the first illustrative sailing directions which do not rely on written directions but appear to be the first nautical chart collection for ocean-going sailing in history.

Finally, the author points out that, although western sailing directions have contributed greatly to navigational science and technology, the Chinese contribution to the development of sailing directions, deserves greater recognition.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , January 1989 , pp. 11 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1989

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