China's voyages a Castle/Pirates related topic

[JPinoy]

*= Edit

I've heard of this book a couple of years ago, but never really gave it much thought until I started thinking of making a Bao Chuan (treasure ship) in Lego. So I started doing more research and then I hit upon the website http://www.1421.tv/news.asp

I decided to have a look and even bought the book "1421 When China Discovered America", with the most compelling evidence I've heard were of those maps that European explorers later on had *used* to get to those particular places and claim to have "discovered" them.

*There's also a followup book called, "When China Discovered the World"... basically, they supposed to have went around the world.

I always wondered about who was it that charted and mapped "undiscovered" places long before they were apparently "discovered". Ever since I was still in my preteens learning about Europe's voyages of discovery and reading things like that.

*Its also interesting to note that Admiral Zheng He's nickname was "3 Jewels" or "Sin Bao" in Chinese. Funny how similar that name is to Sinbad, a legendary muslim sailor & explorer who went on voyages and adventures around the world.

[eNiGMa]

Whoa, that is interesting. I'll have to go further into that site. Thanks for sharing!

[TwoTonic Knight]

Spain: Spain! Columbus!

Italy: No! Italy! Columbus!

China: Chinese!

Russia: Russians! Mr. Chekov is right: We did it first!

Iceland: Vikings!

Amerinds: Native Americans!

Amerigo Vespucci: Native whats?

Chinese: Yeah, but they were ethnic Chinese!

Mongolia: No, they were Mongolians!

Lunatic Fringe: Egyptians!

Skully: Aliens!

Mulder: No, wait, maybe it was the bounty hunter aliens...

And the winner is: Micronesians?

Ethnocentrism lives!

But I'm looking forward to the ship!


Edit in: The OTHER lunatic fringe has been added in for the benefit of Nathan (see below).

[Asterios]

how can you find something that isn't lost.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Spain: Spain! Columbus!

Italy: No! Italy! Columbus!

China: Chinese!

Russia: Russians! Mr. Chekov is right: We did it first!

Iceland: Vikings!

Amerinds: Native Americans!

Amerigo Vespucci: Native whats?

Chinese: Yeah, but they were ethnic Chinese!

Mongolia: No, they were Mongolians!

Lunatic Fringe: Egyptians!

Hehehe, that made me laugh! Though really, I think the winners are: Aliens!

[JPinoy]

Ethnocentrism lives!

Yeah, but the author of the book is NOT of Chinese or even East Asian heritage.

[The Hordesman]

I think humans were first. Nationalities are for sissies. Just because our cultures and appearance differs it doesnt make a any difference- poor are poor and rich are rich

Will be fun to see. Emperor Chang face on Sin Bao?

[eNiGMa]

I think humans were first. Nationalities are for sissies. Just because our cultures and appearance differs it doesnt make a any difference- poor are poor and rich are rich

I couldn't agree more!

[Dragonlord Esq.]

I think humans were first. Nationalities are for sissies. Just because our cultures and appearance differs it doesnt make a any difference- poor are poor and rich are rich

Will be fun to see. Emperor Chang face on Sin Bao?

Humans weren't the first species in the Americas.

[JPinoy]

But we were the first sentient culture creating beings to do so.

Unless your an alien disguised as a human living amongst us....

[ottoatm]

I haven't read this book, but I have to confess I'm a little skeptical about the idea. Much of what I read concerning China's exploration history (in western or eastern books) don't illustrate them as swashbuckling explorers. Still, it's a cool idea, and very possible - there's a lot of people in the country.

[Dragonlord Esq.]

Much of what I read concerning China's exploration history (in western or eastern books) don't illustrate them as swashbuckling explorers. Still, it's a cool idea, and very possible - there's a lot of people in the country.

I'm skeptical as well, but there was a lot of seafaring and exploring during the Ming dynasty, so it's possible.

[TwoTonic Knight]

Gee, everybody edits out the most important part of my silly post ("I'm looking forward to the ship!").

Anyway, yes, Sin Bao is suspected as being the inspiration (in part) of Sindbad (using Burton's spelling).

[JPinoy]

I haven't read this book, but I have to confess I'm a little skeptical about the idea. Much of what I read concerning China's exploration history (in western or eastern books) don't illustrate them as swashbuckling explorers. Still, it's a cool idea, and very possible - there's a lot of people in the country.

If you mean swashbuckling as in going around conquering people.... thats not what China's sea voyages were for. And they're society had no need for things like slavery or colonization. All the explorations and voyages did was mainly show off China's vast army and gigantic ships. They then demanded tribute and recognition of China as the ultimate kingdom/empire on earth from the "barbarian cultures" that the Chinese fleets encountered.\

Besides, there's even a mention that the Chinese based their voyage routes on older maps. Maybe it was the Kahilawayans!!!

[TwoTonic Knight]

If you mean swashbuckling as in going around conquering people.... thats not what China's sea voyages were for....they then demanded tribute and recognition of China as the ultimate kingdom/empire on earth from the "barbarian cultures" that the Chinese fleets encountered.

Ahhhhh, it was mere extortion.

Besides, there's even a mention that the Chinese based their voyage routes on older maps. Maybe it was the Kahilawayans!!!

See below.