Chinese Divination & Cosmology

This detailed engraving represents the southern celestial hemisphere as understood in 18th-century Chinese astronomy, translated and presented by M. de Guignes. It illustrates the complex arrangement of stars and constellations, bridging Eastern astronomical knowledge with Western cartographic traditions.

This engraving depicts the northern celestial hemisphere, showcasing the intricate star patterns and constellations of the Chinese celestial sphere. Produced in 1770, it serves as a vital historical record of cross-cultural scientific exchange between China and Europe during the Enlightenment.

This woodcut map from the 1607 encyclopedia Sancai Tuhui depicts the Eastern Hemisphere, reflecting the profound influence of Jesuit cartography, such as that of Matteo Ricci, in late Ming China. It identifies major landmasses including Asia (亞細亞), Europe (歐羅巴), and Africa (利未亞) using Chinese transliterations, illustrating a pivotal moment in the globalization of geographical knowledge.

This intricate woodcut captures the 'Oath of the Peach Garden,' a foundational scene from the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It depicts the three heroes—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—swearing an oath of eternal brotherhood and loyalty to the state, an enduring symbol of fraternal devotion in East Asian culture.

This woodblock print is a hemispherical map from the 1607 encyclopedia Sancai Tuhui, depicting the Americas (labeled as 'South America' 南亞墨利加). It represents the integration of Western cartographic knowledge, introduced by Jesuit missionaries like Matteo Ricci, into traditional Chinese geographical works. The map features a grid system and numerous place names, illustrating the expanding worldview of the late Ming Dynasty.

This illustration depicts a solar halo with six concentric rings, interpreted in traditional Chinese culture as a significant celestial omen. Set against a serene landscape of jagged peaks and sparse vegetation, the image serves both as a record of an astronomical observation and a symbolic warning of political or social change.

This page from the 1621 military compendium 'Wubizhi' illustrates various postures of roosters used as omens in military divination. Each panel provides a visual guide for commanders to interpret bird behavior as signs of impending enemy actions or the state of their own forces. Such practices highlight the complex blend of practical strategy and traditional spiritual beliefs in early modern Chinese warfare.

This woodcut illustration depicts a pivotal moment from the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' where the hero Zhang Fei punishes a corrupt official. The scene is set in a traditional courtyard, with the artist using fine lines to capture the tension of the confrontation and the distinct personalities of the legendary figures.

This woodcut portrait is from the Sancai Tuhui, a comprehensive encyclopedia compiled during the Ming dynasty. It depicts a man with specific facial features, likely illustrating a particular physical type or character trait as part of a section on physiognomy. The fine lines and expressive features are characteristic of the high-quality woodblock printing of the period.