Diagram of the Heaven-Falling Cannon

original: "Tian zhui pao shi." Despite the name "cannon" (pao), these were actually large, spherical explosive shells designed to be dropped from high fortress walls or launched via catapults to explode upon impact with the ground.

Diagram of the Landmine

original: "Di lei shi." These represent some of the world's earliest documented anti-personnel landmines. They were typically buried in the path of advancing cavalry or infantry and detonated by flint-lock mechanisms or long-burning fuses.

Translator's Note: The diagrams on this page illustrate the internal and external structures of Ming-dynasty explosives. The Heaven-Falling Cannon is shown as a series of spherical casings equipped with fuses of varying lengths. Below it, the Landmine is depicted with internal vertical cylinders, likely representing the firing mechanism or the bamboo/metal casing used to house the gunpowder and shrapnel. These devices reflect the sophisticated state of pyrotechnics original: "huo qi," literally "fire weapons." during this period, transitioning from simple black powder arrows to complex area-denial weaponry.