郑和下“西洋”时间地点考论

When Zheng He Reached the "West Oceans":an Historical Examination

郑和下"西洋"先后七次,出发时间都选择在下半年,而返回时间都在为上半年,这是根据中国季风气候冬季多北风,夏季多东风的特点来安排的;船队在印度洋航行也是运用印度洋不同时间刮东北季风与西南季风的特点来运作的;郑和下"西洋"把福州长乐五虎门(太平港)作为自己远洋航行基地是历史的必然:这里是船舶的建造与维修基地;是船员队伍的重要来源地;是远洋队伍淡水及粮食物质的补给地;是海神妈祖朝拜的重要地。

Zheng He＇s navigated to the ＂western ocean＂ seven times. He and his fleet always left during the second half of the year and returned during the first half. Their choice was based on the typical Chinese monsoon climate： more north wind in winter and more east wind in summer. On the Indian Ocean, Zheng He＇s voyage was also planned according to the characteristics of monsoons. He chose ＂Wuhumen＂ Taiping Harbor ） as the base because it was a center of ship building and repairing, and a source of sailors, fresh water and food.