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Re: North again



At 2:33 PM -0700 on 12/8/01, Jim Green wrote
Folks, when did the lodestone come to light? Surely the concept of north
came long before this. And celestial navigation of sorts is surely older
than that.


The Chinese version of the 'compass' was/is a spoon shape carved from
lodestone. It rests on it's bowl and the handle points SOUTH ! ! ! ! !

A mechanical 'South Pointing Chariot' was devised to carry the
compasses information through streets and roads of China. The figure
on the chariot pointed south regardless of the two wheeled chariots
motion. A sophisticated set of 'differential' gears are used.

The emperor in particular needed to respect the 'South' as something special.

Today's feng shui also puts great importance on the SOUTH!

(Even tho this email is originating in the SOUTH of the US of A, no
political importance should be attached thereunto.)
--
It's no accident that stressed Chuck Britton
spelled backwards is desserts. britton@ncssm.edu