Yuanshi Tianzun
Venerated Figure
in Chinese Alchemy
Sun Simo
Famed Physician
of the Tang Dyansty


For over two thousand years China held an outstanding record in technological development and the sciences. By the 15th century, however, she went into a decline in terms of making any further advancements in these areas. In China's scientific heyday, however, she was, according to Joseph Needham, "far in advance of contemporary Europe."

In the field of astronomy, the Chinese were one of the earliest peoples to keep systematic record of their observations of the heavens. Sitings and records of these sitings go back over forty centuries. The Chinese observed sunspots, meteorites, eclipses and comets which they called "guest stars." They also observed rare events such as the splitting of comets as the record of 896 CE from the Tang Dynasty indicates, and meteorite showers. The earliest account of the latter exists in The Chronicles of Zuo Ming regarding such a shower in 687 BCE.

The Chinese were also one of the earliest people to make star maps:Shi Shen, an astronomer, catalgied an eight-volume series of his observations of the heavens in the 4th century BCE. The earliest known western star maps were made by the Greek astronomer Hiparchus in 2 BCE.

Chinese Armillary

In addition to their observations and records of the heavens, the Chinese also developed highly sophisticated navigational systems based on the stars. Chinese sailors in the third century BCE were already able tofind their bearings using the Great Dipper and the North Pole. In conjunction with their observations of the heavens the Chinese also built planetariums, and various instruments including armillaries for measuring the celestial coordinates. Scientists reading the records estimate that the Chinese were probably using an armillary to map the heavens by the 4th century BCE.

Mathematician Liu Hui

In Chinese history, the study of astronomy was inseparable from mathematics. From the earliest times, the Chinese, according to Joseph Needham, were far in advance of of contemporary civilizations such as those of Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome. There is evidence for instance, that the Chinese had mastered the decimal system since the dawn of history. The earliest treatise on mathematics, Zhoubi suanjing was proably written during the Zhou Dynasty between 1030-1022 BCE. During the Han Dynasty (221BCE-220CE) several mathematical treatises were compiled by distinguished mathemeticians such as Liu Hui whose Haidao suanjing (The Sea and Island Mathematical Manual) appeared sometime around 220CE.

In the following Tang and Song dynasties several outstanding astronomer cum mathematicians would leave their mark on the Chinese scientific scene.The so-called "Golden Age" of Chinese mathematics, however, would not be reached till the last half, and early parts of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

The dual studies in astronomy and mathematics would result in the some of the most remarkable inventions including the astronomical clock by the astronomer Su Song over nine hundred years ago. In the second century CE the famous astronomer Shang Heng devised a mobile water-driven globe which revolved in correspondence with the movements of the heavenly bodies.

Susong Clock

By the sixth century CE, Chinese scientific achievements would be transmitted to Korea and Japan. With the importation of Buddhism from India in the first century CE, Indian sciences were grafted on to the existing Chinese body of knowledge. __________________

Sources:

Joseph Needham, Science and Civilization in China, 7 volumes, Cambridge Unveirsity Press, 1954-1983.
Ho Peng Yoke, Li,Qi and Shu: An Introduction to Science and Civilization in China University of Washington Press,1987.
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