what is this

It’s a Luopan, also known as a Feng Shui compass.

Quick takeaway:  

A Luopan is a traditional Chinese geomantic instrument used by Feng Shui practitioners to determine orientation, energy flow, and auspicious directions.

🧭 What it does

Measures precise directions using a magnetic needle

Contains concentric rings filled with Chinese characters, trigrams, and formulas

Helps practitioners analyze how a building, room, or object aligns with natural energy (Qi)

🏮 Why it looks so intricate

The markings aren’t decorative — they encode:

I Ching trigrams

Heavenly stems & earthly branches

24 compass directions

Various Feng Shui calculation systems (San He, San Yuan, etc.)

📜 Where it’s used

Feng Shui consultations

Traditional architecture planning

Cultural and historical studies of Chinese geomancy

Made of brass on a wooden plinth.

Made by Vanbo somewhere in Asia, probably China