Zhang Heng’s Seismoscope: Ancient Precision in Earthquake Detection
In 132 AD, the polymath Zhang Heng of China devised an intricate seismoscope that garnered significant fascination for its peculiar precision. This remarkable bronze apparatus, adorned with eight dragon heads, concealed a subtle yet ingenious mechanism. Each dragon grasped a bronze sphere poised over the awaiting mouth of a frog. Initially subject to derision and skepticism, Zhang Heng's innovation faced scrutiny from those unable to comprehend its potential. Nevertheless, the pivotal moment arrived when the seismoscope accurately detected an earthquake, prompting the release of a ball from one of the dragons, indicating the seismic activity's westerly direction. Despite the absence
The essential contributions of Armenians to the translation of the Bible into Chinese and Uyghur
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Jesuit missionaries made early attempts to translate portions of the Bible into Chinese. However, the credit for the first complete Chinese translation of the Bible goes to Hovhannes Ghazarian. Another Armenian, Johannes Avetaranian, is recognized as the first translator of the New Testament into the Uyghur Language, as documented in the Andin Armenian Journey Chronicles. Hovhannes Ghazarian, also known as Johannes Lassar, was born and educated in Macau and later became a member of the Armenian Church. In 1813, he was sent to Malacca (now part of Malaysia) with the task of establishing a printing
The rich tradition of Armenian coppersmithing teeters on the brink of extinction
In previous times, domestic cookware primarily consisted of copper and clay vessels. Copper containers were typically coated with tin, a process known as "tinning," to prevent rusting and maintain their usability. The individuals skilled in this trade were referred to as "klekchi" by the local populace.With the widespread adoption of aluminum and other materials for everyday use, the significance of coppersmithing and pottery diminished, eventually leading to their disappearance. Vaghinak Manukyan, a resident of Etchmiadzin, asserts that he is among the last practitioners of the copper crafting tradition.Up until the 1970s and 1980s, Etchmiadzin was home to several coppersmiths. However,
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China opened up its doors to Armenian students
On August 14th, the Armenian Student Association of China had the honor of meeting with the representatives of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Armenia to discuss Sino-Armenian economic, educational, and cultural cooperation. The meeting included a productive discussion and a Q&A session. ChinArmArt was also in attendance and had the opportunity to visit the newly-constructed Chinese Embassy building in Armenia, where they admired the artworks contributing an Eastern aesthetic to the interior. The conclusion of the meeting saw an exchange of contacts, setting the stage for closer collaboration.
Two Armenian astrolabes as evidence of Armenian voyages and the cosmopolitan nature of Armenian intellectuals
During the Middle Ages, astrolabes were utilized as compact instruments in Europe and the Middle Eastern world. Their principal functions encompassed measuring the altitude of celestial objects above the horizon, determining precise time and date, and establishing geographical position on the earth's surface. These instruments were indispensable for conducting astronomical observations and aiding in navigation. One such astrolabe, attributed to the distinguished Armenian physician Amirdovlat Amasiatsi, dates back to approximately 1479. Crafted meticulously from tin, the artifact features a rotating frame adorned with intricately engraved wheels bearing a plethora of symbols, letters, star and constellation names, and circles, all inscribed