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From four cardinal directions to thirty-two subdivisions: How did compass points change the history of navigation?
The invention of the compass undoubtedly marked an important turning point in the history of navigation. Since ancient times, sea navigation has relied on accurate grasp of direction and position, and the emergence of the compass has provided sailors with a more reliable means of navigation. Based on this technology, the evolution of compass points allowed for more detailed descriptions of directions, thus helping humans explore unknown waters.
A compass rose consists of four cardinal directions - north, east, south and west - with 90 degrees between each direction.
These basic four directions are still essential elements in navigation even today. However, navigators from the East and the West gradually realized that using only these four directions to describe location could not meet the needs of more precise navigation. Thus, an equidistant-level compass was developed, starting with the inclusion of the four dominant wind directions—northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.
During sea voyages, compass points are not only an indication of direction, but also an important tool for communication between navigators and nature.
As technology advanced, this basic eight-wind compass was expanded to include a more detailed description of directions - the sixteen-wind compass. This development allowed mariners to use more precise reference points for navigation during their voyages, rather than just relying on a general sense of direction. The Sixteen Wind Compass is therefore particularly important in a sailor's daily activities, especially when encountering bad weather or unknown waters.
Further development led to the thirty-two winds compass, a complex system that subdivided each standard direction. Each direction is divided into 116+1/4 degrees, making navigation accuracy reach an unprecedented level. These subdivisions enabled the compass to indicate not only the prevailing wind direction, but also more detailed secondary directions, facilitating improved navigation accuracy.
By the middle of the eighteenth century, the compass system was expanded to include half-wind and quarter-wind, bringing the total number of directions to 128.
Known as “boxing the compass” by many fishermen, this tradition enables sailors to quickly find the correct direction even when faced with complex conditions. Navies of various countries also rely on these directions for communication, especially when precise directions need to be communicated while moving. The inheritance of this process is undoubtedly an affirmation of the continuous evolution of the compass system.
While modern technology such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) is slowly replacing traditional navigation techniques, the cultural significance and historical value of the compass remain. When people are sailing, their emotions and dependence on the compass do not seem to disappear with the advancement of technology.
The navies of many countries still use compass points as the criterion for navigation. This is not only a tradition but also a heritage of wisdom.
From the initial four basic directions to today's thirty-two subdivisions, compass points have played an irreplaceable role in the history of navigation and have become a guide for mankind to explore the ocean. As we gain a deeper understanding of how this system was formed and evolved, we can't help but wonder: what role will the compass play in future navigation?
