The project recreates the structure of the dragon‑bone water wheel as described in “Tian Gong Kai Wu,” blending education with entertainment.

The dragon‑bone water wheel first emerged during the Eastern Han Dynasty, with legend attributing its invention to Bi Lan during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han. After being refined and improved by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, it was widely adopted across Shu, earning the nickname “Zhuge’s Wheel.” Later, inventor Ma Jun further enhanced its design, and by the Sui and Tang dynasties, it had become a staple for agricultural irrigation—its history spanning over 1,700 years.

 

Trying to reconstruct this chain‑based mechanism was incredibly engaging—and the results were quite impressive. Our ancestors truly were brilliant!

This is an animated installation guide.