Compass
 
Compass is a simple device for orientation identification. It consists of a rotational magnetic needle loaded on a shaft and a directional plate. It is one of the four great inventions of ancient China that has exerted profound influence on the development of human civilization.

指南针是用以判断方向的一种简单仪器，主要组成部分是一根装在轴上可以自由转动的磁针。它的中国古代四大发明之一，对人类文明发展具有重大的意义。

Which means pointing to south, Si Nan was recorded in the great literature Han Feizi during the Warring States Period (206BC-23AD) for identifying directions. It is the original basis for the invention of compass, and the oldest south-pointing device in human history. It is chiseled out of magnetic lodestone in the shape of a ladle or spoon. Its handle will point south when put on the smooth Earth Plate used for divination, which contains 24 directions based on the magnetic meridian direction.

这东西的含义是用来指南的，最早在战国时期（206BC-23AD）《韩非子》一书中，就记载了现称为指南针的原型——司南，这是人类历史上最早的指南仪器。它是用天然磁铁矿石琢成一个杓形的东西，放在一个光滑的盘上，盘上根据磁子午线刻了24个方位，于是杓形的东西便会指向南。

In the Chinese history, numerous skillful craftsmen created interesting and delicate directional devices, such as the Compass Chariot made by Ma Jun during the Three Kingdoms period, the Compass Fish in the Northern Song Dynasty and the Compass Tortoise designed by Chen Yuanliang in the Southern Song Dynasty. .
中国历史上，许多艺术精湛的工匠都创造了既有趣又精致的辨认方向仪器，比如三国时期马钧发明的指南车，北宋时期的指南鱼和南宋时期由陈元靓涉及的指南龟。