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Because they are naturally occurring magnets / compasses (i.e. can indicate magnetic north).

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βˆ™ 13y ago
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βˆ™ 5d ago

Early Chinese used lodestones for navigation because lodestones are naturally magnetic and can align with Earth's magnetic field, providing a constant reference point. By suspending a lodestone on a silk thread and allowing it to rotate freely, sailors could determine their heading and navigate accurately, especially in overcast or foggy conditions when celestial navigation was not possible.

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Q: Why did early Chinese use lodestones for navigation?
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Related questions

Where magnets originated?

Magnetic therapy dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Magnets have long been believed to have healing powers associated with muscle pain and stiffness. Chinese healers as early as 200 b.c. were said to use magnetic.


Why did sailors use lodestones as a compass a long time ago?

so they could tell where they are and wont get lost


How did the early Chinese use the ink in china?

Ink in early china was used for sending messages to the Gods


How did the ships stay on course?

They used a combination of practices. Prior to the early 1700s, captains on sailing ships used the stars. In the 1600s, they used "Reflecting instruments". By 1730, they used a sextant which is a "doubly reflecting navigation instrument". All instruments used angles between stars visible to the ship. The compass was in use as early as the ChineseHan Dynasty (about 206 BC). It was used for navigation by the Song Dynasty Chinese during the 11th century,


What country invented the magnet?

No country invented the magnet. Magnets are naturally occurring objects. The Chinese were the first to use a magnet as an aid to navigation.


How were the first magnets used?

lodestones by h2o power bye sytilte go to first magnets use d.com


How did the early Romans use their surroundings to survive?

they ate the icecream made by the chinese


The use of angles in navigation?

what are the uses of angles in navigation


What does the use of Oracle's tell us about the early Chinese?

It tells us what the Chinese believed in and it taught us more about ancient China's culture.


What does the use of Oracle bones tells us about the early Chinese?

It tells us what the Chinese believed in and it taught us more about ancient China's culture.


What does the use of oracle bones tell us about the early Chinese?

It tells us what the Chinese believed in and it taught us more about ancient China's culture.


How do you use lodestones?

Lodestones are a natural magnet. In hoodoo or rootwork the lodestone is used to drawsomething to . They are added to mojo bags, oils, and other types of conjure to draw. Thepicture above is money drawing plate that sits on reading table in shop. preferto use terra cotta plates for my lodestones to sit in. Different workers will use differentitems, no way is right or wrong. We are all different and will work different. going toexplain how set up a plate and how tend to my lodestone. This is by no means the onlyway to do this; but this is what works for me. have a plate similar that sits on my SanSimon altar, each plate has different items in them.