A Study Of The Prefaces And Postscripts In Matteo Ricci’s World Maps Written By Ming Scholars

Matteo Ricci’s World Maps here refer to the Chinese versioned world map produced based uponOrtelius’ world map and its following up versions. From1584to1603, with the endeavor of Matteo Riccihimself and the impulsion of late Ming intellectuals, the original version of Matteo Ricci’s map wasreproduced many times and broadly spreaded. These maps are important examples of cultural exchangesbetween China and Western countries in late Ming Dynasty. Related researches on the maps have beenfocused on the versions, content, distribution and impacts. There has not been any serious studies done onthe prefaces and postscripts of these maps. This paper presents an analysis of Chinese prefaces andpostscripts on the maps and their writers and the author of this paper believes that the map has impact onlate Ming intellectuals indeed, and expended the late Ming intellectuals’ knowledge about the world, theseimpacts have obvious differences on the basis of the object, extent and geographical differences. Wuzhongming partly agree with the knowledge in the map. Li zhizao Xu guangqi accept the map from thelevel of science and technology, including cartography, the sphericity of the earth, latitude and longitudepartition, etc. Guo zizhang accept the interactive contents between the map and the Chinese ancientknowledge. Feng Yingjing approved the geographical knowledge about the world in the map. Li yingshichiefly accept the sphericity of the earth. Matteo Ricci’s World Map is in general dispersed in the region ofparts of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, zhejiang province and Beijing—Tianjing region. Generally speaking,from the aspect of knowledge and technology, Matteo Ricci’s World Map expended the late Mingintellectuals’ knowledge about the world.