compass; divination equipment BM-As1888-1201.337

Period:Unknown Production date:19thC(mid)
Materials:boxwood, metal,
Technique:carved

Dimensions:Height: 2.40 centimetres Weight: 65 grammes Width: 9.30 centimetres Depth: 6.30 centimetres

Description:
Compass made of boxwood, with revolving plate on lid; circular dial painted inside lid, magnetic needle in lower section; various Chinese characters around edge.
IMG


Comments:The Chinese characters on this device are the solar divisions (including the Great Frost) they are repeated in both sides. This is possibly a device for calculating fate. It is not just a compass, though it has a compass in it. Around the compass (which is in the inside) and mirrored on the inside of the lid, probably for convenience, are seven of the twelve branches (the branches are the dividers of the twelve astronomical divisions, of space and time). There are pin holes for each divisions on the east and west access (though not on north and south), these pin holes may be to put in a sight marker. On the lid there is a disk with pointer with the full set of twelve branches. The pointer is for selecting one the thirty days of the month. Therefore the twelve characters on the disk pointer must be the months of the year. From comments made by Stephan Feutchwang 25/04/2008Compare 1986 Q 2