MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FÜR WISSENSCHAFTSGESCHICHTE Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Visualization of the Heavens

Image 1, Jing du xin zao Zhong hua da guo ge sheng jing jie fu zhou xian ting wu hu si hai ji chi bai dao bu cha hao li di yu quan tu “Commercial” map of the Qing imperial realm (drafted in 1899–1902), MPIWG collection, https://dlc.mpg.de/image/1030255865/1/.

No 2
Chinese Maps as Cosmographs
How do Chinese maps function as cosmographs, bridging terrestrial geography and celestial knowledge?

In May 7, 2024 we had the pleasure of gathering in the exquisite library of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) for an “Objects Revealed” session, thoughtfully curated by the Head of the Library, Esther Chen, together with Cathleen Paethe (Subject Librarian for Chinese Studies, and Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann (CNRS, Paris; Fellow Einstein Center Chronoi, and MPIWG Visiting Senior Research Fellow). The focus of the event was a stunning display of Chinese maps from the MPIWG library collection, with a particular emphasis on the cosmographic maps of the Qing Empire. Cathleen, who played a pivotal role in organizing the event, shared her insights about the library’s map collection: 

Over the past few years, the MPIWG library has built up a small but fine collection of maps. The collection focuses on maps of Asia from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Some were made by Western cartographers, others by Chinese cartographers; some are hand-drawn (manuscript), others printed. Our aim is to source maps that are not easily available in Germany or Europe and to make them widely accessible. To this end, we have digitized most of our maps and made them freely available on our platform [Digital Libraries Connected]. We not only present our map treasures online, we also open our map cabinets to scholars who use the maps for their research. During the “Objects Revealed” event organized by the “Visualization and Material Cultures of the Heavens” (VoH) Working Group, which featured selected maps. The well-known scholar of East Asian cartography, Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann, interpreted and discussed our maps as mediators of astral knowledge—beyond all cartographic traditions.

Cathleen’s expertise enriched our understanding of the materials on display and underscored the importance and the ways of preserving and studying these treasures.

Map of China

Image 2, Map of China, compiled by John A. Diakoff, a scientific collaborator of the former Russian Orientalist’s Society. Drawn by G. Primakoff. Engraved by P. Sergeeff. Published by Northern Trading Co., Ltd. & V. F. Yan-hsiun. Printed by the Lithography of the Northern Trading Co., Ltd. Harbin, 1931 (MPIWG collection).

Vera, an expert on Chinese cartography, guided us through these extraordinary artifacts, allowing us to appreciate their intricate details. She also supplemented her presentation with slides that highlighted key features of the maps and offered comparisons to related cartographic traditions. Cathleen followed this by calling our attention to a recently discovered artifact: the circular diagram from the Zhoujiatai manuscript on bamboo slips (ca. 209 BCE) (see Image 3).

Bamboo Slip Manuscript

Image 3, Slide from Vera’s presentation showing photos of the bamboo slip manuscript Zhoujiatai Tomb 30, Hubei (burial dated ca. 209 b.c.e.) from Hubei sheng Jingzhou shi Zhouliangyuqiao yizhi bowuguan 湖北省 荊州市周梁玉橋遺址博物館 (Museum of the Zhouliangyuqiao site, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province), Guanju QinHan mu jiandu 關沮秦漢墓簡牘 (Bamboo slips and wooden boards from Qin and Han tombs in Guanju), Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 2001. Explanatory diagrams: in the center, Marc Kalinowski, “The Understanding and Uses of the ‘Day Court Diagram’” in Qin-Han Hemerology and Calendrical Astrology, Bamboo and Silk 3, no. 2 (2020) 10.1163/24689246-00302005) and on the right, Marc Kalinowski, “The Notion of ‘Shi 式’ and Some Related Terms in Qin-Han Calendrical Astrology”, Early China 35–36 (2012–2013): 331–360 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0362502800000535 (blue and red highlights were added by presenter).

Powerpoint Slide with Photos of the Liuren

Image 4, Photos of the Liuren 六壬 type of the diviner’s board or “cosmograph” from the tomb of Marquis of Ruyin 汝陰侯 closed in 165 BCE, Shuanggudui 雙古堆, Fuyang阜陽, Anhui province Anhui sheng wenwu gongzuodui 安徽省文物工作隊 [Anhui cultural relics working group] “Fuyang Shuanggudui Xi Han Ruyin hou mu fajue jian bao” 阜陽雙古堆西漢汝陰侯發掘簡報 [An outline report on excavations at the Western Han tomb of the marquis of Ruyin at Shuanggudui, Fuyang] Wenwu 1978, no. 8: 12–30, 98–99; lacquered wood, bottom plate: 13.5 cm, height 1.4 cm; upper disc diameter: 9.3–.5 cm, thickest part 0.6 cm (portable device), Yin Difei 陰滌非, “Xi Han Ruyin hou mu chutu de zhanpan he tianwe yiqi” 西漢汝陰候墓出土的占盤和天文儀器 [The divining board and the astronomical instrument excavated from the Western Han tomb of the Marquis of Ruyin] Kaogu 1978, no. 5: 338–343.

In her presentation, Cathleen also described the fascinating interplay between the terrestrial and celestial realms in Chinese mapmaking, including the 28 lunar lodges, and how this reflects the ancient Chinese understanding of the cosmos. One of the highlights was Vera’s modern working reconstruction, crafted from cardboard, of a cosmograph. This model vividly illustrated the Chinese cosmological vision: a square Earth surrounded by a circular heaven, with the 28 lunar lodges and the 12 earthly branches meticulously marked. Holding this physical representation deepened our understanding of its craftsmanship and use also in connection to the circular Korean world maps. We continued our discussion of this view of the cosmos from a cross-cultural perspective at our joint BBAW/MPIWG/EC-Chronoi lecture series, “Maps and Mapping in Global History and Culture,” co-organized by Dagmar Schäfer, Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann, Marta Hanson and Ute Tintemann (BBAW). Lecture series 2025

Vera's presentation slide with on the right, a Han divination board found in tomb, on the right, a Liuren-type cosmograph,

Image 5, From Vera’s Presentation: On the left, Han divination board found in tomb 12, Mozuizi, Ganeu. Fig. 5.19: Cordell D. K. Yee, “Reinterpreting Traditional Chinese Geographuca Maps,” Cartography in the Traditional East and Southeast Asian Societies. The History of Cartography, vol. 2, no. 2, edited by Harley and Woodward. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994. https://press.uchicago.edu/books/hoc/HOC_V2_B2/HOC_VOLUME2_Book2_chapter5.pdf), On the right, a Liuren-type cosmograph, “涉害法真诀：戊戌日干上亥,” 大六壬明镜, 个人图书馆, last modified 29 April, 2023, http://www.360doc.com/content/23/0429/21/76062211_1078658834.shtml.

As with all “Objects Revealed” events, the session sparked lively debate. We reflected on what constitutes a map, its materiality, and its intended use within the Chinese cultural context. At first glance, many of us—especially those new to the subject—struggled to discern key features. By the end of the session, however, we could identify rivers, the Great Wall, provinces, temples, and mountains, and could decode some of the symbolic language of the maps. We left the session not only with a deeper understanding of Chinese cartography, but also with a renewed appreciation for the ways in which they embody art and science. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the history of cartography and explore how ancient cultures visualized and understood their place in the universe. We will definitely return to the MPIWG library to check out more material from their significant collection.

Scholars viewing Maps

Image 6, Scholars from MPIWG viewing the “Commercial” map of the Qing imperial realm (drafted in 1899–1902), MPIWG collection, https://dlc.mpg.de/image/1030255865/

Stamatina Mastorakou

*All photos, unless otherwise noted, are taken by Esther Chen

In conversation with Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann

Q1: What initially sparked your interest in Chinese maps and atlases?

Traditional Chinese maps are the necessary visual aids for grasping the early Chinese concepts of space. Formation of these concepts was part of the process of political unification and establishing of the imperial institutions (ca. 4th century BCE–2nd century CE). They are expressed in a cluster of texts dating from this period of time. However, no early Chinese general maps have survived, the earliest specimens date from the twelfth century onwards.

The majority of the first general maps showing the Chinese imperial realm are reflections of the early terrestrial descriptions and can be defined as attempts to translate basic geographical texts into maps. However, maps are more often than not overlooked in studies of the early Chinese texts because they date from a considerably later period of Chinese history. Yet, early texts and later maps belong to the continuous Chinese tradition of representing space. The maps provide me with the missing key to comprehending early Chinese texts, of course, taking into consideration that these maps necessarily bear the stamp of the time when they were created.

 

Q2: What aspects of these objects from the MPIWG collection do you find particularly intriguing or significant in relation to astral knowledge?

The two “commercial” maps of the Qing imperial realm [see here and here], which we investigated together with Yang Yulei 楊雨蕾 (Zhejiang University). This series of archaic-looking maps drafted, however, as Yang Yulei determined, as late as the turn of the twentieth century (1899–1902), have been completely overlooked in the history of cartography studies. Their first systematic study by Yang Yulei focused on the two specimens in the MPIWG collection is forthcoming in the Crossroads journal. These maps originate from the so-called Field Allocation Maps in the Household Encyclopedia (see projects on Fenye in Local Gazetteers and Household Encyclopedia by Shih-Pei, including my own).

 

Q3: From a digital humanities perspective, how do you see technology and innovation advancing the study of maps and atlases?

Digital humanities has long become a necessary part of the study of maps, beginning with the creation of digital images of maps, and the techniques of georeferencing, to attempts to establish filiation of maps, but there are still more questions than answers, especially when one is dealing with diagrammatic maps (and not maps which are products of mathematical geography).


Q4: Could you share with us a memorable or humorous experience from your interactions with these objects during your research?

Two answers:

• Most people who study ancient maps, especially diagrammatic maps that are not products of mathematical geography, do not have any sense of orientation in real space.

• On several occasions, especially with scholars who study mathematical geography, and despite a very broad current definition of a “map,” I had to insist that “commercial” maps and similar cases are also maps.

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