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A Zhen Lu enroute from Wenzhou to Zhenla recorded by Zhou Dawen

Chinese people inventedZhen Lu(needle path) in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). A kind of voyage logging in fact,Zhen Luwas so named because the marinecompass, the magnetic needle to be exact, was the main navigation tool at that time. Formed by a piecemeal accumulation of navigation experiences,Zhen Lugradually developed into special books on navigation.

"Zhen Lu," rather than being the route taken by the compass' magnetic needle, was the logging of sea routes taken by a ship from one place to another. Guided by the marine compass, the ship could sail to a destination in different directions at different points.

When connected and drawn on thepaper, these points would form a route, which was the said "Zhen Lu." From place A to B, different sea routes had differentZhen Lu. Sometimes, even the same route had varying Zhen Lu to and from a place. Therefore,Zhen Luwas necessary for a successful voyage.

Generally, aZhen Luwould include the starting place, the sailing direction, the mileage, and the destination. For sailing at night, the records on celestial navigation boards also had to be included.

Author: Jessie