The world's largest encyclopedia was a handwritten Ming dynasty masterpiece of 22,937 manuscript rolls.

Art · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Completed in 1408, the Yongle Encyclopedia was a monumental effort to preserve all Chinese literature, history, and science. Directed by the Yongle emperor, thousands of scholars compiled millions of characters into over 11,000 volumes. It remained the largest general encyclopedia in history for nearly six centuries until the digital age.

Commissioned in 1403 by the Yongle emperor, who reigned from 1402 to 1424, the project aimed to consolidate rare texts and simplify research. The emperor, an intellectual who valued preservation, directed thousands of scholars to scour China for works covering philosophy, arts, and sciences. By 1405, the team had expanded to over 2,000 contributors, eventually finishing the massive compilation in 1408 at the Guozijian in Nanjing.

The physical scale of the work was unprecedented. It comprised 22,937 manuscript rolls bound into 11,095 volumes, occupying roughly 40 cubic metres. Unlike other contemporary encyclopedias that were organized by subject, this collection used a phonetic system to help readers locate entries. The volumes were distinctively bound in yellow silk, with titles and author names written in red ink—a color strictly reserved for imperial use, signaling the work's royal status.

While the Ming dynasty was known for its stable but autocratic governance and the perfection of the civil service examination system, the encyclopedia served a dual purpose. Some scholars suggest the emperor used the project to win over Neo-Confucian intellectuals who had previously refused to participate in his administration following his rise to power. By including diverse viewpoints—including Buddhist and Daoist texts—the emperor successfully engaged a broad spectrum of the scholarly elite.

Today, only about 3.5% of the original work survives, with most volumes lost during the 19th century. Despite its near-total disappearance, the project stands as a testament to the Ming dynasty's cultural ambition. It remains a vital reference for the preservation of historic Chinese works that might otherwise have vanished entirely, reflecting the era's inward-looking yet highly sophisticated approach to knowledge.

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