Exploring the Practices of Chinese Sailors and Seafaring

Do you know about the practices of the Chinese sailors and their seafaring? The Chinese have a long history of navigating the waters, beginning as far back as 4,500 years ago.

Their seafaring voyages have extended to all parts of the world, taking them to Australia, Europe, and other parts of the Far East. It is estimated that from the period of 2,000 BCE to the 19th century, the Chinese had a central role in Southeast Asian seafaring.

This article explores the practices and motivations of Chinese sailors throughout history and touches upon the ancient arts and techniques used for navigation.

The Origins of Chinese Seafaring

The Chinese have a deep-rooted history of seafaring due to their dependence on foreign trading for necessary imported commodities such as silk, porcelain, and tea.
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The earliest archaeological evidence of Chinese seafaring ships dates back to the first millennium BCE, when the Chinese civilization had already begun trading ships with other nations. These ships were powered by rotating paddles, using the flowing currents of the river and thrust provided by the water.

The Chinese fine-tuned their seafaring abilities over time and during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–221 BCE), merchants and traders began to utilize a more sophisticated sailing vessel specifically suitable for ocean voyages. These vessels had very low drag and were able to navigate even the roughest seas.

The Art of Celestial Navigation

The sailors of the time used celestial navigation to effectively navigate between the ports. This art involved using stars, the sun, and other heavenly bodies to determine the direction of the ship.

By measuring the distance between two points and determining how long it would take with the given direction and speed, the sailor was able to easily navigate from one port to another. This method of navigation came to be known as the “Art of the Celestial Master” and is still practiced today.

The Chinese were also the first to create a magnetic compass, which was known as the “south-pointer”. This device worked by detecting the Earth’s magnetic field and was much simpler and more effective than the earlier methods of navigation.

Navigators of the Ming Dynasty

The navigators of the Ming Dynasty had to use their knowledge of celestial navigation, combined with a variety of other navigational arts, to successfully complete the long and arduous trading missions of the time.

During the reign of the Zhu Di emperor (reign: 1402–1424), the Chinese had begun constructing larger vessels suitable for ocean voyages. These vessels had large square sails and were fitted with multiple compartments, which allowed them to be more stable during rough sea conditions.

These ships also had a sophisticated navigation system known as Tui Lai. This navigation system was a combination of several navigational techniques, such as the movement of the stars, the indication of currents, and the calculation of magnetic forces. The navigators also used mechanical models and personal journals to record their journey and navigational techniques.

Exploring the East

The Chinese navigators explored large areas of the eastern hemisphere. They ventured to North America and even ventured inland, by navigating the river systems of the East.

It is speculated that the Chinese even reached the United States before Columbus. However, some historians debate that this information is lost to history.

The Chinese sailors of the 15th and 16th centuries often traveled with merchant ships to trade goods and wealth among the various powers and nations of the region. These voyages also included cultural and commercial exchanges, leading to the spread of technology and information.

Enduring Legacy

The Chinese sailors and seafaring explorations left a lasting impact on the world. They explored the seas of the world and passed on their knowledge and experience to later generations.

Their navigational arts, combined with their knowledge of celestial navigation, helped to shape the way that people navigate today and is a reminder of the ingenuity of the Chinese sailors.
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