Antique Chinese Iuopan (Geomancers' Compass)

Antique Chinese wood Geomancer's Feng Shui Compass (luopan), on a carved wooden disk with ink inscriptions. Circa 1850. Magnetic compasses like this were used by Chinese geomancers for Feng Shui practices; allowing a geomancer to give physical directional guidance, and also analyze the "energy" of any location. Using these compasses, geomancers could choose optimal/fortunate orientations for buildings, structures, or even objects. Likewise, they were used to detect/change auspicious orientations or objects. 

By taking into account optical Qi, and the balance of Yin and Yang, these were utilized during new construction of personal & communal spaces, determining burial sites, or reorienting ones surroundings in times of adversity. 

Later model featured in The Smithsonian at The National Museum of American History.

Diameter: 8 cm

Diameter (Inner Compass): 2.5 cm

Height: 1.75 cm.

Weight: 1.2 oz.