Diagrams of Chariot Construction, Volume 1

Page 1

Section 1: The Wheels

To examine a chariot, one must begin with the component that makes it move, which is called the wheel.

The term "chariot" is a collective name for the felloesThe outer wooden rim of a wheel into which the outer ends of the spokes are inserted. and the spokes. This is why LaoziThe ancient philosopher and reputed author of the Tao Te Ching. The quote here (from Chapter 11) emphasizes that the utility of a carriage comes from the relationship between its parts and the "nothingness" at the center of the hub. said, "Assemble the various parts of a carriage, yet there is no carriage [without the coordination of these parts]." Although a chariot consists of distinct divisions such as wheels and spokes, in terms of its practical utility, nothing takes precedence over the wheel.

Therefore, the Record of TradesThe Kao Gong Ji (考工記), China's oldest known technical encyclopedia, which details the standards for various crafts. states: "In any examination of a chariot, one must begin with the part that hides itself against the ground." For this reason, the investigation of a chariot starts with the wheels.

The ShuowenThe Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), an early 2nd-century dictionary that is a primary source for the original meaning of Chinese characters. explains: "That which has spokes is called a wheel (lun); that which lacks spokes is called a felloe (rou)." Thus, "wheel" is also used as a general term for the rimOriginal: ya (牙)., the spokesOriginal: fu (輻)., and the hubOriginal: gu (轂), the central part of the wheel through which the axle passes..

The Record of Trades states: "The wheel of a war chariotOriginal: bingche (兵車). is six feet and six inches in diameter. The wheel of a state carriageOriginal: chengche (乘車), used by high-ranking officials and for ceremonial purposes. is six feet and six inches. The wheel of a hunting chariotOriginal: tianche (田車). is six feet and three inches." I will now provide explanations based on the war chariot and the state carriage.