Lu Ban (Chinese: 鲁班; Wade-Giles: Lu Pan, fl. Wade-Giles (ˌweɪdˈʤaɪlz) sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization system (phonetic notation and Transcription) for the Mandarin 5th century BC) was a Chinese carpenter, philosopher, military thinker, stateman and contemporary of Mozi, born in the State of Lu. The 5th century BC started the first day of 500 BC and ended the last day of 401 BC. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Mozi ( Lat as Micius, ca 470 BCE&ndashca 391 BCE was a Philosopher who lived in China during the Hundred Schools of Thought Lu ( was an ancient state in China during the Spring and Autumn Period. [1]
His real name was Gongshu Ban (Chinese: 公输般 or 公输班; pinyin: Gōngshū Bān), also known as the Master Gongshu (Gongshuzi), because he was from the State of Lu, he was most commonly referred to as Lu Ban from records. Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use Lu Ban is well notable for his achievements after his subject to the State of Chu. Chǔ ( 楚) was a kingdom in what is now central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period ( 722 - 481 BC) and
According to the tradition, he was responsible for several inventions as seen on Mozi chapter 49 and 50:
- Cloud ladder — a mobile counterweighted siege ladder. [2]
- Grappling hooks and ram — boat implements used during on a naval warfare. [3]
- Wooden bird — a non-powered flying wooden bird which could stay in the air for three days, and had been suggested to be a proto-kite. [4]
There were also others inventions that contributed to him, such as lifting implement for burial,[5] wooden horse carriage and coachman,[6] and some other woodworking that can be see from various texts which thereafter led Lu Ban to be acknowledged as the master craftsman:
- The Book of Lineages (世本), written in about 3rd century BC. The 3rd century BC started the first day of 300 BC and ended the last day of 201 BC
- The Tales of the Marvellous (述异记), written in about 5th century by Ren Fang. The 5th century is the period from 401 to 500 in accordance with the Julian calendar in Anno Domini / Common Era.
- The Records of Origin on Things and Affairs (事物纪原), written in about 11th century by Gao Cheng.
- The Origin on Things (物原), written in about 15th century by Luo Qi.
- The Treatise of Lu Ban (鲁班经), an attributed texts to Lu Ban written between 13th to 15th century.
Though impossible to authenticate, some legend had even attributed the building of the Zhaozhou Bridge to him. The Zhaozhou Bridge ( is the world's oldest open-spandrel stone segmental Arch bridge.
Footnotes
- ^ According to a citation from Youyang Zazu Vol. The Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang ( is a Miscellany of Chinese and foreign legends and hearsay reports on natural phenomena short anecdotes and 24 dated to the 7th century, he was from Dunhuang. The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Dunhuang ( also written as 燉煌 till early Qing Dynasty; is a City (pop
- ^ 公输盘为楚造云梯之械，成，将以攻宋。(Mei's Translation: Gongshu Ban had completed the construction of Cloud ladders for the State of Chu and was going to attack the State of Song with them. ) Mozi Ch. 50, Para. 1.
- ^ 公输子自鲁南游楚，焉始为舟战之器，作为钩强之备，退者钩之，进者强之，量其钩强之长，而制为之兵。楚之兵节，越之兵不节，楚人因此若埶，亟败越人。(Mei's Translation: Gongshuzi came south from the State of Lu to the State of Chu, and began making implements for naval warfare which consisted of grappling hooks and rams. When the enemy were retreating they used the hooks. And when the enemy were advancing they employed the rams. And the weapons were made according to the length of these hooks and rams. The weapons of the State of Chu thus were all standardized, and those of the State of Yue were not. And, with this advantage, the people of Chu greatly defeated the people of Yue. ) from Mozi Ch. 49, Para. 20.
- ^ 公输子削竹木以为鵲，成而飞之，三日不下。(Mei's Translation: Gongshuzi constructed a bird from bamboo and wood and when it was completed he flew it. It stayed up [in the air] for three days. ) Mozi Ch. 49, Para. 21.
- ^ Liji Ch. The Classic of Rites ( was one of the Five Classics of the Confucian canon 4.
- ^ Lunheng Ch. 85, by Wang Chong (b. 27). Year 27 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar.
References
- Du Shiran et al (1992). Biographies of Ancient Chinese Scientists Series One: Lu Ban. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe, 22-25. ISBN 7-03-002926-7.
- Wang Fu et al (1994). Records of Lu Ban: China's Earliest Inventor — Lu Ban. Beijing: Zhongguo Kexue Jishu Chubanshe, 3-6. ISBN 7-5046-1676-1.
- Li Shaoyuan; Zhao Beizhi et al (1996). Stories of Chinese Scientist and Inventors. Beijing: Jindun Publishing House, 1-8. ISBN 7-5082-0168-X.
- Yu Xuecai; Li Chunfu (May 2004). "Gongshu Ban, No. 22 Monograph in Research Library of Chinese Architectural Culture". . Huazhong Architecture Bimonthly
External links
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