Seismograph

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In 132 AD, Zhang Heng, a great scientist in the Eastern Han Dynasty, invented the seismograph - the earliest instrument in the world for forecasting and reporting the movement of an earthquake. It is one of the most brilliant achievements in ancient China. The seismograph is decorated with tortoises, birds, dragons, toads and other animal images, which makes it unique and highly enjoyable. If there is an earthquake, the copper ball inside the seismograph will drop out from the mouth of one dragon and fall right into the mouth of the toad below. (There are eight dragons representing eight directions.) From the falling direction of the ball, we can judge where an earthquake may happen. In addition, in ancient Chinese philosophy, the dragon symbolizes Yang, while the toad symbolizes Yin. Thus, it constitutes the dialectic relationship between Yin and Yang, upwards and downwards, and movement and stillness. Meanwhile, it also reflects the dialectic thoughts in Book of Changes. Thus it is endowed with profound connotations.

Zhang Heng - Celebrated Astronomer of Ancient China

Zhang Heng was a celebrated astronomer of ancient China. An inventor of the seismograph and armillary sphere, he made great contributions to the development of astronomy in ancient China.

Armillary Sphere (Huntian Instrument)

Armillary Sphere (Huntian Instrument)

The Armillary Sphere, consisting of a bracket and a four-"chi"-diameter hollow copper ball with 28 constellations carved on it, is similar to modern celestial sphere.
Ling Xian (Mystical Laws)

Ling Xian (Mystical Laws)

Ling Xian, an immense astronomical work, is a distillation of the years of practice and theoretical research by Zhang Heng, a famous astronomer of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).
Zhang Heng's Tomb

Zhang Heng's Tomb

The Tomb of Zhang Heng is situated in Shiqiao Town, Nanyang County, Henan Province.