The compass points to the north. Why is it called a compass?

Compass is called one of the four great inventions in China. At present, the commonly used compass is a small magnetic needle placed on a vertical sharp axis. Under the action of geomagnetic field, one end of it points to the south and the other end points to the north. A compass can guide and point to the north. Why is it called compass instead of compass?

You can call it a compass. Compass and compass are the same thing, but most people are used to calling it a compass. From the historical origin of China, it is more in line with the traditional culture of China.

China lies in the northern hemisphere. When the house is built, the door faces south, and the sun can shine in all the year round, so the south naturally has an advantage. If a device can indicate the direction with the help of geomagnetic field, it is better to name it "North" than "South". The earliest tool that can tell the direction in China myths and legends is called South Guide Vehicle. According to legend, when the Yellow Emperor was at war with Chiyou, Chiyou spewed thick fog, which trapped the Yellow Emperor's army. The yellow emperor made a south guide car, and the puppet in the car would always point south. Relying on the south guide car, the Yellow Emperor's army rushed out of the dense fog and finally defeated Chiyou.

A compass is different from a compass. The commonly used compass can point in the direction at both ends, so some people will ask why it is called compass instead of compass. However, the puppet on the guide car extends its arm to point in the direction. When it extends its arm to point in the direction, it will not point a finger to the north. The legendary compass can also guide the naming of later compasses.

Wang Chong in the Eastern Han Dynasty wrote in Lun Heng that "the platform of Sina is thrown to the ground and guided". According to this sentence, China made a model of Sina in the last century. A spoon polished with a magnet is placed on a copper plate, and the handle of the spoon will point to the south. The spoon has only one handle, and only the handle can clearly indicate the direction, so this device is called Sina.

When both ends of a small magnetic needle can indicate the direction, the north and south sides boarded the table. South is still older than north, and it is easier to win naming rights. The concept of equality is gradually deepening, and North China has the right to compete for naming rights, so today some people will ask, "Why not call it a compass?"