Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 5: Astronomy

Introduction to the Map of the Mountains and Seas

The World Map of the Mountains and Seas by the Scholar of the Mountains original: "利山人" (Li Sharen), a respectful name for the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci features three outer rings representing the celestial sphere. These rings record the distances across the heavens, the varying lengths of days and nights, and the numerical differences in the gnomon shadowsthe shadow cast by a vertical pole used to measure the sun's altitude to determine seasons and latitude between winter and summer, as well as a general overview of celestial degrees.

Regarding the regions situated within and beyond the North and South Poles that bind the mid-heavens, there are three or four distinct types of lands: those with shadows, those without shadows, and those with circular shadows This refers to the different ways shadows behave in the tropics (where the sun can be directly overhead, leaving no shadow), the temperate zones, and the polar circles (where the sun may circle the horizon). These phenomena all describe the relative distance of the sun’s orb.

These details are published alongside this map and are now compiled into this illustration. They are further detailed within the divisions of the year and the seasonal climates listed under the four seasons.

The central circle of this Map of the Mountains and Seas is the terrestrial globe original: "地球" (Diqiu), a term popularized by Ricci to describe the Earth as a sphere. Within it, the Great Earth is contained, encompassing everything. It briefly records the mountains, rivers, local customs, and products of the "ten thousand nations" A traditional Chinese term for all the countries of the world. The world is collectively divided into five major continents Ricci introduced the Chinese to the concept of the five continents: Asia, Europe, Libya (Africa), America, and Magallanica. This map provides a general outline of these lands for study and reference.