Manufacturing technique of Wan'an compass

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Wan'an compass making skills

Applicant: Xiuning County, Anhui Province

Item No.: 399

Project No.: VIII - 49

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Anhui Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Xiuning County, Anhui Province

Protection unit: Wan'an wuluheng Luojing Laodian Co., Ltd. of Xiuning County

Introduction to Wan'an compass making technology:

Applicant: Xiuning County, Anhui Province

Compass is an important instrument widely used in astronomy, geography, military, navigation, home ownership and tomb site selection. It is the continuation and development of compass, one of the four great inventions in ancient China. Wan'an compass is the only compass that is handmade with traditional skills in China. It is produced in Wan'an old street, Wan'an Town, Xiuning County, Anhui Province.

The manufacturing industry of Wan'an compass rose in the late Yuan Dynasty and developed in the Ming Dynasty. It reached its peak in the middle of the Qing Dynasty. It declined in the late Qing Dynasty. It revived in the early Republic of China and continued until the early 1960s. After a pause of nearly 20 years, it resumed production in 1982.

Wan'an compass inherits the Chinese traditional compass making skills, and has formed its own characteristics in the long-term production process, which has strict requirements on the technical process and techniques. To make a compass, there are generally six processes. First of all, the special wood "tiger bone tree" (scientific name Chongyang wood) should be selected and sawn into a rough compass. Then, the rough compass should be rounded and polished, and the round hole for magnetic needle should be dug. Then, the grid should be drawn and the disk surface should be written. Then, tung oil should be refined and the compass should be oiled. The installation of the magnetic needle is the last and most critical process, which is operated by the owner alone in the secret room. The work includes magnetizing the steel needle, measuring the center of gravity of the magnetic needle, and installing the needle.

Wan'an compass can be divided into three types according to the disc, including three-way disc, three-way disc and comprehensive disc. There are about 11 specifications according to the diameter. The compass produced by Wan'an has unique design, exquisite material selection, excellent production and complete varieties. It is regarded as the authentic compass and enjoys the reputation of "huiluo" and "huipan". In 1915, the Wan'an compass and sundial were exhibited at the Panama International Exposition and won the gold medal.

Wan'an compass carries the cultural information of ancient Chinese astronomy, geography, environmental science, philosophy, Yi ology, architecture and other aspects, inherits the magnetic guide technology and related skills, and provides valuable information for the study of ancient Chinese science and technology history, social history, living environment and the history and culture of ancient Huizhou.

However, in modern society, the practical function of Wan'an compass gradually degenerates, the market demand shrinks, the old artists die one after another, the successors are lack, and the compass making technology is on the verge of extinction.