Four Great Inventions of Ancient China
四大发明叙述文英语作文
四大发明叙述文英语作文英文回答：Four Great Inventions of Ancient China.The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China are the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing. These inventions have had a profound impact on the development of human civilization, and they continue to be used today in various forms.The compass was invented during the Han Dynasty (206 BC 220 AD). It is a device that uses a magnetized needle to determine the direction of magnetic north. The compass was originally used for navigation, but it has also been used for surveying, mining, and other purposes.Gunpowder was invented during the Tang Dynasty (618 907 AD). It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate that explodes when ignited. Gunpowder wasoriginally used for fireworks, but it was later used in weapons such as cannons and guns.Papermaking was invented during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 220 AD). It is a process of making paper from plant fibers. Papermaking was originally used for writing and painting, but it has also been used for a variety of other purposes, such as printing, packaging, and insulation.Printing was invented during the Song Dynasty (960 1279 AD). It is a process of transferring ink to paper using movable type. Printing was originally used for printing books, but it has also been used for a variety of other purposes, such as newspapers, magazines, and posters.The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China are a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the Chinese people. These inventions have had a profound impact on the development of human civilization, and they continue to be used today in various forms.中文回答：古代中国的四大发明。
介绍中国古代四大发明的英语作文
介绍中国古代四大发明的英语作文The Four Great Inventions of ancient China refers to the four important inventions in ancient China: papermaking, printing, compass, and gunpowder. These inventions have had a profound impact on human civilization and have greatly contributed to the progress of human society.Firstly, papermaking was one of the most important inventions in ancient China. It greatly facilitated the spread of knowledge and culture, as well as the development of education and science. Before papermaking was invented, people recorded information on bamboo slips or silk, which was inconvenient and could not be widely used. The invention of papermaking greatly promoted the development of human civilization.Secondly, printing, another great invention of ancient China, also played a crucial role in the spread of knowledgeand culture. The invention of woodblock printing made it possible to produce books and other written materials in large quantities, which greatly facilitated the dissemination of knowledge and information. It also contributed to the development of literature and art.Thirdly, the compass was invented in ancient China, which greatly improved the accuracy of navigation at sea. Before the invention of the compass, people often relied on the position of the sun and stars for navigation, which was not very accurate. The invention of the compass greatly promoted the development of maritime trade and exploration, and also contributed to the development of geography and astronomy.Finally, gunpowder, another great invention of ancient China, had a profound impact on human history. The invention of gunpowder greatly changed the way wars were fought and led to the development of firearms and artillery. It also greatlycontributed to the development of mining, fireworks, and other industries.In conclusion, the Four Great Inventions of ancient China have had a profound impact on human civilization and greatly contributed to the progress of human society. They have played a crucial role in the spread of knowledge and culture, the development of science and technology, and the progress of human civilization. These great inventions are part of the valuable cultural heritage of China and have also greatly influenced the development of the world.。
四大发明的英语作文
四大发明的英语作文The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China。
The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China refer to the four inventions of ancient China that had a great impact on the development of human civilization. They are the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing. These inventions not only greatly promoted the development of ancient Chinese society, but also had a profound impact on the progress of human civilization.The compass is one of the most important inventions in human history. It was invented in ancient China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The compass greatly facilitated navigation and exploration, and played acrucial role in the development of maritime trade and the spread of culture and technology. Without the compass, the Age of Exploration and the subsequent globalization of the world would not have been possible.Gunpowder is another significant invention of ancient China. It was first invented during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD). Gunpowder revolutionized warfare and had a profound impact on the history of warfare. It not only changed the way battles were fought, but also led to the development of firearms and artillery, which had a lasting impact on the development of military technology.Papermaking is also one of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China. It was invented during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The invention of papermaking greatly facilitated the spread of knowledge and information, and played a crucial role in the development of human civilization. Without paper, the spread of literature, art, and science would have been greatly hindered.Printing is the fourth of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China. It was invented during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD). The invention of printing greatly facilitated the spread of knowledge and information, and played a crucial role in the development of human civilization. Without printing, the spread of literature, art, andscience would have been greatly hindered.In conclusion, the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China – the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing – had a profound impact on the development of human civilization. They greatly facilitated the spread of knowledge and information, and played a crucial role in the development of human society. Without these inventions, the world would be a very different place. These inventions are a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the ancient Chinese people, and their impact on the world cannot be overstated.。
中国四大发明初一英语作文
中国四大发明初一英语作文The Four Great Inventions of ancient China refer to the four major inventions created by the ancient Chinese people with world influence,which are paper making, printing,compass and gunpowder.1.Paper making:Paper making is an important invention in ancient China.Its invention and development greatly promoted the spread of culture and the accumulation of knowledge.According to historical records,CAI Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty improved the papermaking process,greatly improving the quality and production efficiency of paper,thus replacing bamboo slips and silk as writing materials.The invention of paper was not only widely used in China,but also spread to other parts of the world through trade routes such as the Silk Road,and had a profound impact on the development of global culture.2.Printing:The invention of printing is another major breakthrough in ancient Chinese science and technology, which greatly promoted the spread of culture and the popularization of knowledge.Block printing in Tang Dynasty and movable type printing in Song Dynasty aretwo important innovations in printing technology. Block printing copies words and images by carving wooden planks,while movable type printing uses movable metal or ceramic fonts,making printing more flexible and efficient.The invention of movable type printing is considered to be the first information revolution in human history,and it gave a huge boost to the later European Renaissance and the Religious Reform.pass:Compass,also known as compass,is an ancient Chinese tool used for navigation and positioning.It uses the nature of the Earth's magnetic field to indicate geographical direction.The compass may have originally been used for Taoist rituals and feng shui measurements,and was later used for navigation,greatly improving the safety and accuracy of navigation.The invention of the compass made a significant contribution to the development of maritime trade and geographical discoveries,enabling Europeans to sail farther and discover new continents.4.Gunpowder:Gunpowder is the last of the four great inventions of ancient China.It is an explosive compound.The invention of gunpowder was probably firstused for Taoist alchemy,and later for military purposes,such as rockets,artillery,and mines.The use of gunpowder completely changed the face of warfare, making siege warfare faster and more brutal.The invention of gunpowder also had a major impact on European military technology and promoted the process of military revolution.The four great inventions of ancient China are not only the crystallization of the wisdom of the Chinese nation, but also an important symbol of the progress of human civilization.They have had a profound impact on the development of world history.翻译：中国古代四大发明是指古代中国人民创造的四项具有世界影响的重大发明，分别是造纸术、印刷术、指南针和火药。
中国文化关键词的英文表达
中国文化关键词一、四大发明the Four Great inventions of Ancient China1、火药gunpowder2、印刷术printing3、造纸术paper-making4、指南针compass二、中国古代哲学家Ancient Chinese Philosophers1、孔子Confucius2、孟子Mencius3、老子Lao Tzu4、庄子Chuang Tzu5、孙子Sun Tzu6、墨子Mo Tzu三、四书The Four Books1、《大学》The Great Learning2、《中庸》The Doctrine of the Mean3、《论语》The Analects of Confucius4、《孟子》The Mencius四、书法五大书体The Five Major Styles of Chinese Calligraphy1、篆书seal script; seal character2、隶书official script; clerical script3、行书running script; semi-cursive script4、草书cursive script5、楷书regular script; standard script五、六气The Six Classical Arts1、礼rites2、乐music3、射archery4、御riding5、书writing6、数arithmetic六、汉字Chinese Characters1、汉字笔画stroke2、偏旁部首radical3、书写体系writing system4、汉藏语系Sino-Tibetan5、汉学家Sinologist; Sinologue6、中国热Sinomania7、同宗同源of the same origin8、华夏祖先the Chinese Characters9、单音节single syllable10、声调tone11、阳平、阴平、上声、去声level tone, rising tone, falling-rising tone, falling tone七、武术The Martial Arts1、中国武术kung fu2、武术门派schools of martial arts3、习武健身practice martial arts for fitness4、古代格斗术ancient form of combat5、中国武术协会Chinese Martial Art Association6、武林高手top martial artist7、气功Qigong, deep breathing exercises8、柔道judo9、空手道karate10、跆拳道tae kwon do11、拳击boxing12、摔跤wrestling13、击剑fencing14、武侠小说tales of roving knights; kungfu novels八、中国文学作品Chinese Literary Works1、《三国演义》Three Kingdoms2、《西游记》Journey to the West3、《红楼梦》Dream of the Red Mansions4、《山海经》the Classic of Mountains and Rivers5、《资治通鉴》History as a Mirror; Comprehensive History Retold as a Mirror for Rulers6、《西厢记》the Romance of West Chamber7、《水浒传》Heroes of the Marshes, Tales of the Water Margin8、《聊斋志异》Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio; Strange Tales from Make-Do Studio9、《围城》Fortress Besieged10、《阿Q正传》The True Story of Ah Q11、《春秋》The Spring and Autumn Annals12、《史记》Historical Records13、《诗经》The Book of Songs14、《易经》The Book of Changes15、《礼记》The Book of Rites16、《孝经》Book of Filial Piety17、《三字经》Three-Character Scripture; Three-Word Chant18、八股文Eight-part essay; stereotyped writing19、五言绝句five-character quatrain20、七言律诗seven-character octave九、中国建筑Chinese Architecture1、四合院quadrangle; the traditional Chinese single-story houses with rows of rooms around the four sides of a courtyard2、蒙古包(Mongolian)yurt3、碑文inscriptions on a tablet4、碑林the forest of steles5、道观Taoist temple6、殿hall7、烽火台beacon tower8、鼓楼drum tower9、华表ornamental column十、十二生肖Zodiac1、鼠Rat2、牛Ox3、虎Tiger4、兔Hare5、龙Dragon6、蛇Snake7、马Horse8、羊Sheep9、猴Monkey10、鸡Rooster11、狗Dog12、猪Pig十一、传统节日Traditional Festivals1、春节The Spring Festival拜年pay a New Year visit爆竹fire cracker除夕Eve of Chinese New Year春联Spring Couplets辞旧迎新ring out the old year and ring in the new饺子boiled dumpling锅贴pan-fried dumpling; pot-sticker庙会temple fair年画traditional Chinese New year Pictures年夜饭the Eve Feast; family reunion dinner on lunar New Year’s Eve; Banquet of Chinese New Year Eve守岁stay up late on the New Year’s Eve团圆饭family reunion dinner压岁钱New Year gift-money; money given to children as a New Year gift2、元宵节Lantern Festival元宵sweet sticky rice dumplings花灯festival lantern灯谜lantern riddle舞龙dragon dance狮子舞lion dance踩高跷stilt walking3、清明节Tomb-sweeping Day扫墓tomb-sweeping; sweep tomb sites of loved ones祭祖offer sacrifices to the ancestors踏青go for an outing in spring4、端午节Dragon Boot Festival赛龙舟dragon boot race粽子tradition Chinese rice-pudding亡灵departed soul忠臣loyal minister5、中秋节Moon Festival; Mid-Autumn Day月饼moon cake赏月appreciate the glorious full moon6、重阳节Double Ninth Day; the Aged Day7、国庆节National Day十二、京剧Beijing Opera1、变脸face-off2、生male(the positive male role)3、旦female(the positive female role)4、净a supporting male role with a striking character5、丑a down or a negative role6、花脸painted role7、独角戏monodrama; one-man show8、京剧票友amateur performer of Beijing Opera; Peking Opera fan9、脸谱mask十三、《论语》The Analects of Confucius1、己所不欲，勿施于人Do not do to others what you would not want them do to you.2、言必行，行必果Keep what you see and carry out what you do.3、有朋自远方来，不亦说乎？Isn’t it a delight to have friends coming from afar?4、知者乐山，仁者乐水The wise find pleasure in waters; the virtuous find pleasure inmountains.5、君子敏于言而甚于行The gentleman are speedy as a worker and cautious as aspeaker.6、知之为知之，不知为不知，是知也。
四大发明Four Great Inventions of Ancient__ China
Four Great Inventions of Ancient China1、（江晓彤）China held the world's leading position in many fields in the study of nature, from the 1st century before Christ to the 15th century, with the four great inventions having the greatest global significance.Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass - the four great inventions of ancient China are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to world civilization.Four Great Inventions of Ancient China —— printing2、（姜雪洁）With the inventions of paper and ink, stamper gradually became popular during the Jin Dynasty （265-420）, which wasthe early form of Carved Type Printing. Block Printing first appeared in the Tang Dynasty （618-907）. The text was first written on a piece of thin paper, then glued face down onto a wooden plate. The characters were carved out to make a wood-block printing plate, which was used to print the text. Wood-block printing took a long time as a new block had to be carved for every page in a book.3、（兰惠）It took a lot of time and energy as well as materials to prepare for printing a book, but it worked more effectively afterwards. This technology was gradually introduced to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.Y et, Block Printing had its drawbacks —— all the boards became useless after the printing was done and a single mistake in carving could ruin the whole block. The frontispiece of the world's oldest surviving book, the Diamond Sutra printed in the year 868, was discovered at Dun huang Cave, along the Silk Road. The book, in the form of a roll, is the earliest woodcut illustration in a printed book.4、（梁家正）Movable Type Printing （活字印刷）Block Printing was a costly and time-consuming process, for each carved block could only be used for a specific page of a particular book, besides, a single mistake in carving could ruin the whole block. However movable type changed all of that.In the Song Dynasty （960-1279）, a man named BiSheng carved individual characters on identical pieces of fine clay. Each piece of movable type had on it one Chinese character which was carved in relief on a small block of moistened clay. After the block had been hardened by fire, the type became hard and durable and could be used wherever required. The pieces of movable type could be glued to an iron plate and easily detached from the plate. Each piece of character could be assembled to print a page and then broken up and redistributed as needed. When the printing was finished, the pieces were put away for future use.5、（刘蓓）By the year1000, paged books in the modern style had replaced scrolls. Two color printing （black and red）was seen as early as 1340.This technology then spread to Korea, Japan, V ietnam and Europe. Later, German Johann Gutenberg invented movable type made of metal in the1440s. Movable Type Printing developed very fast. Based on clay type, type made of wood, lead, tin and copper gradually appeared.Four Great Inventions of Ancient China—— Gunpowder6、（刘鑫）The invention of gunpowder had a close relationship with the advanced ancient workmanship of smelting industry. People began to know a lot of chemistry knowledge about the nature of different mineral materials during the process of smelting operation. With the knowledge, ancient necromancers tried to seek the elixir of immortality from certain kinds of oresand fuel.Although they failed to get what they were looking for, they discovered that an explosive mixture could be produced by combining sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter （potassium nitrate）. This mixture finally led to the invention of gunpowder although its exact date of invention still remains unknown.7、(刘雅梦)Many historical materials indicate that gunpowder first appeared before the Tang Dynasty （618-907）. From 300 to650AD several recipes were written about inflammable mixtures. Some historians date the invention of gunpowder at 850AD when a Taoist book warned of three specific elixir formulas as too dangerous to experiment.The military applications of gunpowder began in the Tang Dynasty. Explosive bombs filled with gunpowder and fired from catapults were used in wars. During the Song and Y uan dynasties （960-1368）, the military applications of gunpowder became common and some other weapons like "fire cannon", "rocket", "missile" and "fireball" were introduced.In the Y uan Dynasty （1279-1368）, the method of powder-making was introduced to the Arab world and Europe, bringing a series of revolutions to weapon manufacturing, as well as to stratagem and tactics on the battlefield. From Italy the making of gunpowder soon spread to other European countries, and by the1350s it had become an effective weapon on the battlefield.Four Great Inventions of Ancient China—— Paper8、（陆修志）China was the first nation who invented paper. The earliest form of paper first appeared in the Western Han Dynasty （206BC-23AD）, but the paper was generally very thick, coarse and uneven in their texture, made from pounded and disintegrated hemp fibers. The paper unearthed in a Han tomb in Gansu Provinceis by far the earliest existing ancient paper, tracing back to the early Western Han Dynasty.In the Eastern Han Dynasty （25-220）, a court official named CaiLun made a new kind of paper from bark, hemp, rags, fishnet, wheat stalks and other materials. It was relatively cheap, light, thin, durable and more suitable for brush writing.9、（宋翔）The art of paper-making spread east to Korea and Japan at the beginning of the seventh century （the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty）. In the eighth century, along with the Silk Road, the Arab countries began to learn how to make paper. It took about 400 years for paper to traverse the Arab world to Europe. In the 14th century many paper mills were established in Italy, from where the workmanship of paper-making spread to the European countries such as Germany. The Italians vigorously produced the material and exported large amounts of it, dominating the European market for many years. In the 16th century, the art of paper-making appeared in Russia and Holland, and it spread to Britain in the17th century.Before paper was invented, QinShihuang, the first emperor in Chinese history, had to go over 120 kilos of official documents written on bamboo or wooden strips. With the invention of paper, the popularization of knowledge has turned into reality. The invention of paper is an epoch-making event in human history.Four Great Inventions of Ancient China —— Compass10、（孙建迪）Early in the Spring and Autumn Period （770-476BC）, while mining ores and melting copper and iron, Chinese people chanced upon a natural magnetite that attracted iron and pointed fixedly north. In the Warring States Period （206BC-23AD）, after constant improvement the round compass came into being. Referred to as a "South-pointer", the spoon- or ladle-shapedcompasses of magnetic lodestone, and the plate is of Bronze. The circular center represents Heaven, and the square plate represents Earth. The handle of the spoon points south. The spoon is a symbolic representation of the Great Bear. The plate bears Chinese characters which denote the eight main directions of north, north-east, east, etc. This type of compass has been scientifically tested and found to work tolerably well.11、（孙晓玲）By the time of the Tang dynasty （618-907）and the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty （960-1127）, Chinese scholars had devised a way to magnetize iron needles, by rubbing them with magnetite, and then suspending them in water. They also observed that needlescooled from red heat and held in the north-south orientation （the earth' saxis）would become magnetic. These more refined needle compasses could then be floated in water （wet compass）, placed upon a pointed shaft （dry compass）or suspended from a silk thread, etc. Consequently, they were much more useful for navigation purposes since they were much more portable.During the Song Dynasty （960-1279）many trading ships were then able to sail as far as Saudi Arabia without getting lost. The compass was introduced to the Arab world and Europe during the Northern Song Dynasty. The spread of the compass to Europe opened the oceans of the world to travel and led to the discovery of the New World.。
介绍古代四大发明的英语作文
介绍古代四大发明的英语作文The Four Great Inventions of Ancient ChinaAncient China was a cradle of human civilization, home to numerous groundbreaking innovations that have profoundly shaped the course of history. Among the most significant and far-reaching of these advancements are the four great inventions paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing. These revolutionary technologies not only transformed life in China but also had a lasting impact on the development of the world.Paper, the first of the four great inventions, was a transformative development that forever changed the way information was recorded and disseminated. Prior to the invention of paper, people in ancient China had been using bamboo, silk, or stone tablets to record their thoughts and ideas. However, these materials were cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to transport. In the 2nd century BCE, the Han dynasty court eunuch Cai Lun revolutionized the process by creating a new material from the inner bark of mulberry trees, hemp, and other plant fibers. This lightweight, affordable, andversatile medium quickly became the preferred writing surface throughout China and beyond.The widespread use of paper had far-reaching consequences. It facilitated the rapid expansion of literacy, as books and documents could be produced and distributed more easily. This, in turn, led to the flourishing of scholarship, the dissemination of knowledge, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Paper also played a crucial role in the development of bureaucracy and administration, enabling the efficient storage and retrieval of records. Furthermore, the portability of paper revolutionized communication, allowing for the exchange of ideas and the coordination of activities across vast distances.The second of the four great inventions, the compass, was a groundbreaking innovation that revolutionized navigation and exploration. While the earliest versions of the compass, known as "south-pointing chariots," were developed in China as early as the4th century BCE, the modern magnetic compass emerged around the 11th century CE. This device, which uses the Earth's magnetic field to determine cardinal directions, provided mariners and land-based travelers with a reliable means of orientation and direction-finding.The compass had a profound impact on the expansion of trade and the exploration of new territories. With its guidance, Chinese sailors were able to venture far beyond the coastal regions, reaching as faras Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even the east coast of Africa. This increased connectivity facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices, contributing to the growth of global trade networks and the spread of Chinese influence. The compass also played a crucial role in the development of cartography, enabling the creation of more accurate and detailed maps that further supported exploration and navigation.The third of the four great inventions, gunpowder, was a revolutionary discovery that transformed the nature of warfare and had far-reaching consequences for human civilization. The origins of gunpowder can be traced back to the 9th century CE, when Chinese alchemists were experimenting with the combination of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Initially used for fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays, gunpowder was later adapted for military purposes, leading to the development of primitive firearms and cannons.The introduction of gunpowder weapons had a profound impact on the balance of power in ancient China and beyond. The ability to project destructive force from a distance gave rise to new tactical and strategic considerations, rendering traditional defensive structures and close-quarter combat less effective. This technological advantage allowed Chinese dynasties to expand their territorial control and project their influence on a regional and global scale. Furthermore, the widespread use of gunpowder weapons led tosignificant changes in military organization, training, and logistics, as well as the emergence of new social and economic dynamics associated with the production and trade of these technologies.The fourth and final of the four great inventions, printing, was a groundbreaking development that revolutionized the dissemination of information and knowledge. While the earliest forms of printing, such as woodblock printing, had been in use in China since the 6th century CE, the invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng in the 11th century CE marked a significant leap forward. Bi Sheng's innovative approach, which involved the use of ceramic movable type characters, allowed for the mass production of printed materials in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.The impact of printing on Chinese society was profound. It facilitated the widespread distribution of books, making knowledge and literature more accessible to the general population. This, in turn, contributed to the rise of literacy, the advancement of scholarship, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Printing also played a crucial role in the dissemination of official decrees, edicts, and other government documents, enhancing the efficiency of administrative and bureaucratic processes. Furthermore, the availability of printed materials fostered the exchange of ideas, the emergence of new forms of expression, and the development of a more informed and engaged citizenry.The four great inventions of ancient China – paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing – have had a lasting impact on the course of human civilization. These groundbreaking innovations not only transformed life within China but also had far-reaching consequences that reverberated across the globe. The development of paper facilitated the expansion of literacy and the preservation of cultural heritage, while the compass enabled the exploration of new territories and the growth of global trade networks. Gunpowder revolutionized the nature of warfare and the balance of power, while printing revolutionized the dissemination of information and knowledge.These four great inventions are a testament to the ingenuity, creativity, and intellectual prowess of the people of ancient China. They have left an indelible mark on the world, and their legacy continues to shape our understanding of the past and inspire us to push the boundaries of human achievement. The four great inventions of ancient China stand as a shining example of the transformative power of innovation and the enduring impact of human ingenuity.。
四大发明用英语介绍短文
四大发明用英语介绍短文What are The Four Great Inventions?The Four Great Inventions are: The Compass，Gun powder，Papermaking，Printing Techniques.中国古代四项伟大的发明是指南针、火药、造纸术、印刷术。
The Four Great Inventions of ancient China are celebrated in Chinese culture for their historic significance and as signs of ancient China’s advanced science and technology. These fourinventions greatly promoted the development of China’s economy, politics, and culture.中国古代的四大发明因其历史意义和作为中国古代先进科学技术的标志而在中国文化中受到赞扬。
这四大发明大大促进了中国经济、政治和文化的发展。
The CompassThe history of the compass can be dated back tothe Warring States Period (476–221 BC), when Chinese people used a device calledsi nan to point the direction.指南针的历史可以追溯到战国时期（公元前476-221年），当时中国人使用一种叫做司南的装置来指明方向。
After constant improvement, a round compass with a tiny needle made of magnetized steel were invented during the early Song Dynasty. One end of the tiny needle points to the south and the other points to the north. The compass was then introduced to the Arab world and Europe during the Northern Song era (960–1127).经过不断的改进，在宋朝初期发明了一种带有磁化钢制成的小针的圆形罗盘。
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Four Great Inventions of Ancient China Papermaking, gunpowder, printing and the compass are four ancient inventionsby Chinese people that have had a huge impact on the entire world.Paper MakingThe invention of paper greatlycontributed to the spread anddevelopment of civilization. Before itsinvention, bones, tortoise shells, andbamboo slips were all used as writingsurfaces, but as Chinese civilizationdeveloped they proved themselvesunsuitable because of their bulk andweight. Hemp fiber and silk were used tomake paper but the quality was far fromsatisfactory. Besides, these two materialscould be better used for other purposes soit was not practical to make paper fromthem.Xue fu wu che is a Chinese idiomdescribing a learned man. The storybehind it concerns a scholar named Hui Shi who lived during the Warring StatesPeriod. He needed five carts to carry his books when he traveled around teaching. Books at that time were made of wood or bamboo slips so they were heavy and occupied a lot of space. Reading at the time needed not only brainwork but also physical strength.In 105 A.D. Cai Lun, a eunuch during the Eastern Han Dynasty, invented paper from worn fishnet, bark and cloth. These raw materials could be easily found at a much lower cost so large quantities of paper could be produced.The making technique was exported to Korea in 384 A.D. A Korean Monk then took this skill with him to Japan in 610 A.D.During a war between the Tang Dynasty and the Arab Empire, the Arabs captured some Tang soldiers and paper making workers. Thus, a paper factory was set up by the Arabs.In the 11th Century the skill was carried to India when Chinese monks journeyed there in search of Buddhist sutras.Cai Lun, inventor of papermakingThrough the Arabs, Africans and Europeans then mastered the skill. The first paper factory in Europe was set up in Spain. In the latter half of the 16th century, this skill was brought to America. By the 19th century, when paper factories were set up in Australia, paper making had spread to the whole world. Cai Lun, also known as Tsai Lun, was listed in the book The 100: A Ranking ofthe Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart.GunpowderIn Chinese, gunpowder is calledhuo yao, meaning flamingmedicine. Unlike paper andprinting, the birth of gunpowderwas quite accidental. It was firstinvented inadvertently byalchemists while attempting tomake an elixir of immorality. Itwas a mixture of sulphur,saltpeter, and charcoal. At theend of the Tang Dynasty, gunpowder was being used in military affairs. During the Songand Yuan Dynasties, frequent wars spurred the development of cannons, and fire-arrows shot from bamboo tubes.In the 12th and 13th centuries, gunpowder spread to the Arab countries, then Greece, other European countries, and finally all over the world.Printing TechniqueInspired by engraved name seals, Chinese people invented fixed-type engraved printing around 600 A.D. The skill played an important role in the Song Dynasty but its shortcomings were apparent. It was time-consuming to engrave a model, not easy to store, and not easy to revise errors.During the reign of Emperor Ren Zong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Bi Sheng invented moveable, reusable clay type after numerous tests. Single types were made and picked out for printing certain books. These types could be used again and again for different books. Because of the large number of different characters in the Chinese written language, this technique did not have a dramatic impact at the time. However, today, this typesetting technique is regarded as a revolution in the industry. About 200 years later, this Cannonmoveable-type technique spread to other countries and advanced the development of world civilization.CompassDuring the Warring States period, a device called a Si Nan became the forerunner of the compass. A Si Nan was a ladle-like magnet on a plate with the handle of the ladle pointing to the south. In the 11th century, tiny needles made of magnetized steel were invented. One end of the needle points north while the other points south. The compass was thus created. The compass greatly improved a ship's ability to navigate over long distances. It was not until the beginning of the 14th century that compass was introduced to Europe from China.。