TechnologyEast Asia
The compass at sea
Navigation becomes possible without sight of the stars
See it on the timeline →In depth
Shen Kuo described both the compass and the fact that it points slightly off true north — magnetic declination — four centuries before any European noticed. Together with the stern rudder and better rigging, the compass made sailing beyond sight of land possible, and with it the whole Atlantic era.
For children
A magnetised needle points north in any weather. That means a ship can keep sailing in fog and cloud instead of waiting. The compass came from China to Europe in the twelfth century and made the great voyages possible.
Connects to
Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org