The first compasses were invented for divination and feng shui, not for navigation.

The earliest magnetic compasses date back to the Han Dynasty in China, roughly between 206 BC and 220 AD. These devices were crafted from lodestone, a naturally magnetized ore of iron. Rather than a needle, the "south-pointer" was often shaped like a ladle or spoon resting on a polished bronze plate engraved with symbols representing the eight trigrams and various constellations.During this period, the device was known as the "Si Nan" and was primarily used for geomancy and divination. Practitioners used it to ensure that houses and graves were aligned according to feng shui principles, believing that magnetic alignment with Earth's energy would bring good fortune and ward off misfortune.The transformation from a mystical tool to a navigational instrument occurred much later, during the Song Dynasty between 960 and 1279 AD. Historical records from the 11th century, particularly Shen Kuo's "Dream Pool Essays" written in 1088, provide the first clear descriptions of magnetic needles used for navigation. By the 12th century, Chinese sailors were using floating magnetized needles to navigate across the ocean during overcast nights.This technology eventually spread westward via the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. By the late 1100s, European and Islamic scholars began documenting the compass's use for seafaring. This shift from spiritual alignment to practical navigation fundamentally changed world history by enabling the Age of Discovery.