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I've just enough time to study those infernal circles. Every route, every destination. All safe. In here.
Joshamee Gibbs[src]

The Mao Kun Map, sometimes referred as the Navigational Charts or the Map to the Land of the Dead, was the only guide that took into account the role of chance, fate, and the supernatural in mortal affairs. With no fixed points, the map is first introduced in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and its sequel On Stranger Tides. Among other appearances, the map's paintings were used for the design of building that held The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Background[]

According to the "Certificate of Autheticity" to a limited edition reproduction of the Map of the Land of the Dead:

This map was presented to the esteemed and great navigator Wu Ling for his journeys to the mysterious gates of the afterlife. The map leads to spiritual realms and legends of the land beyond death. It was compiled by the four explorers of the Dark Dynasty. It uses meridian arcs, equatorial divisions, geographic landmarks and magic keys to guide one's spiritual passage.
This reproduction has aligned the arcs showing the pathway to the Fountain of Youth. It was solely created for the Pirates Marathon on May 24th, 2007 at the El Capitan Theatre.

Design and Appearance[]

FountainOfYouthMap

The Mao Kun Map was believed to have been painted on washi-handmade Japanese rice paper. Indeed, this map was prized above all other charts, with the directions to many marvelous places. However, as many times as the Mao Kun Map has been used, the dates and distances can change and mislead the traveler who uses the map unwisely. If lined up correctly, the map to the Fountain of Youth would be found.

The struggle for eternal life is symbolized by a tug of war between a skeleton and an angel, which is aligned with the the symbol of the Fountain itself: the Chalices.

Appearances[]

Films[]

At World's End[]

The renowned Pirate Lord of Singapore, Sao Feng, holds one of the great keys to a true pirate mystery: the charts that show the way to World's End. To help the surviving members of Jack Sparrow's crew save Jack from Davy Jones' Locker, Captain Barbossa helps them by recovering the map. After Will Turner attempted to steal them, Feng used the charts to personally accuse Barbossa of stealing them. Although Feng didn't want Jack Sparrow return from the Land of the Dead, Will made a deal with Feng that procured Barbossa's crew the charts they need for their quest.

While sailing to the Farthest Gate, the crew used the navigational charts throughout their journey, leading them to World's End and beyond. Barbossa had the charts when they arrived in Davy Jones' Locker and joined Jack Sparrow on the Black Pearl. Jack later deciphered the chart's cryptic message, "Up is Down": to flip the ship over by sundown, so the Black Pearl, along with its crewmen, were transported to the land of the living.

Following the death of Lord Cutler Beckett, Barbossa stole the Pearl from Jack once again, with the charts in his possession. But when showing his crew the map to the Fountain of Youth, Barbossa discovered that Jack stole the middle part of the charts. Taking the route of Juan Ponce de León on the charts, Jack sailed on a small vessel to begin his quest for the Fountain.

On Stranger Tides[]

While attempting to rescue his first mate, Joshamee Gibbs, Captain Jack Sparrow's map is seen. Gibbs takes the map and inquires of his quest to the Fountain. Taking the map back, Jack said that it was delayed but vowed to taste the waters. When Jack was brought before King George II, who wanted Jack to guide an expedition to the Fountain of Youth, he was asked about the map. However, when asked to present the map, Jack didn't have it.

Unbeknownst to Jack, it was Gibbs who stole the map before Jack was dragged by Royal Guards to meet with King George. That night, after Jack's escape, Gibbs was brought forward to Hector Barbossa, now a privateer in service to King George after losing his leg and ship, the Black Pearl. Threatened into being hung by the gallows, Gibbs revealed to be in possession of the map. Barbossa ordered Gibbs to give him the map, but Gibbs burned it. Though Barbossa called Gibbs a "fool", Gibbs revealed that he had plenty of time to "study those infernal circles" and memorized every route and destination. With the knowledge that Gibbs was the only one who could help him find the Fountain, Barbossa welcomed Gibbs back into the the Navy, as the map smoldered.

Disney Parks[]

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow[]

The map's paintings were used for the design of building that held The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction, particularly the Fountain of Youth portion of the map.

Behind the scenes[]

Gallery[]

External links[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Information shown from the Map of the Land of the Dead product info.
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v - e - d
Pirates-of-the-caribbean-collection-logo
Media
Films: The Curse of the Black Pearl (video/soundtrack) • Dead Man's Chest (video/soundtrack) • At World's End (video/soundtrack) • On Stranger Tides (video/soundtrack) • Dead Men Tell No Tales (video/soundtrack)

Short Films: Tales of the Code: Wedlocked
Books: Jack Sparrow prequel novelsPirates of the Caribbean: Legends of the Brethren CourtPirates of the Caribbean: The Price of FreedomPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual GuidePirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Ultimate Sticker Book)
Video Games: Pirates of the CaribbeanThe Legend of Jack SparrowPirates of the Caribbean OnlineDisney UniverseKingdom Hearts IIPirates of the Caribbean Multiplayer MobileLEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video GamePirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndPirates of the Caribbean (pinball)Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean: Master of the SeasDisney InfinityPirates of the Caribbean: Tides of WarDisney Heroes: Battle ModeKingdom Hearts IIIDisney Sorcerer's ArenaSea of Thieves: A Pirate's LifeDisney Speedstorm

Disney Parks
New Orleans SquareTreasure CovePiratelandPirate TakeoverA Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven SeasEl Teatro FandangoJungle River Cruise: Pirate Takeover!Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer IslandPirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken TreasureShipwreck ShoreSiren's RevengeThe Legend of Captain Jack SparrowPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer GoldBilge Rat Bill's Explorer Canoes

Entertainment: Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate TutorialEye of the Storm: Captain Jack's Stunt SpectacularFantasmic!Pirates Summer Battle "Get Wet!"
Restaurants: Blue Bayou RestaurantPintel & Ragetti's Grub to GrabThe Snackin’ KrakenTortuga TavernTortuga Treats
Shops: Doubloon MarketJolly GypsyPirates LeaguePirate Treasure
Fireworks: Celebrate the MagicDisney EnchantmentDisney Movie MagicFantasy in the SkyHappily Ever AfterIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouRemember... Dreams Come TrueWorld of Color
Halloween: Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween ParadePirates of the Caribbean Ghost TrailThe Nightmare Experiment

Characters
The Curse of the Black Pearl: Jack SparrowHector BarbossaJoshamee GibbsWill TurnerElizabeth SwannJames NorringtonGovernor Weatherby SwannPintel and RagettiJack the MonkeyCottonMartyMurtogg and MullroyTheodore GrovesAnamariaCotton's ParrotGilletteGiselleScarlettBo'sunJacobyKoehlerTwiggMallotGrappleWeatherbyExecutioner of Port Royal

Dead Man's Chest: Davy JonesCutler BeckettIan MercerTia DalmaKrakenBootstrap Bill TurnerMaccusClankerPenrodAnglerRatlinKolenikoHadrasPalificoOgilveyCrashWyvernGreenbeardJimmy LegsLeechBellamyPrison RavensPelegostos Tribe
At World's End: Sao FengTai HuangLian and ParkStengEduardo VillanuevaSri SumbhajeeCapitaine ChevalleAmmand the CorsairJocardMistress ChingCaptain TeagueMoreyGreitzerDavy Jones' Locker Crabs
On Stranger Tides: AngelicaBlackbeardPhilip SwiftSyrenaGarhengSalamanScrumDerrickEzekielGunnerQuartermasterCookMarinaMermaidsTamaraSpaniardKing FerdinandKing George IIJohn CarteretHenry PelhamRedcoats
Dead Men Tell No Tales: Captain SalazarLesaroHenry TurnerCarina SmythUncle JackScarfieldShansaMayor DixGhost SharksGhost Seagulls
Tales of the Code: MungardMarquis d'Avis
Attraction: ReddAuctioneerPirate CaptainCaptain XPrison DogTinySeedy PrisonersHook Hand PirateSkeleton HelmsmanBarker BirdBeacon JoeThe Pooped PirateOld BillShy AlbertCarlosFortune RedCaptain GoreJean LafitteTom SawyerCarlos' WifeSkeleton PillagerSkeleton Pirate CaptainTreasure SkeletonPirate RobberTreasure OctopusHungry PirateScalawagCooteThurlBillie HowTaliban PiratePirate AssistantSword Skeleton PirateHook Hand Skeleton Pirate
Video Games: Black BartyJolly Roger
Books: MontezumaJames the MysteriousArabella SmithSilver

Organizations
Crew of the Black PearlCursed CrewCrew of the Flying DutchmanEast India Trading CompanyBrethren CourtSpaniard's crewBlackbeard's Zombie OfficersCrew of the Silent MaryCrew of the Wicked Wench
Locations
Isla TesoroDead Man's CoveBlue Bayou LagoonPort Royal, JamaicaFort CharlesTortugaRumrunner's IsleIsla de MuertaPelegostosIsla CrucesPantano RiverSingaporeSao Feng's BathhouseDavy Jones' LockerShipwreck CoveLondon, EnglandSpainWhitecap BayFountain of YouthSaint MartinPoseidon's Tomb
Ships/Boats
Wicked WenchBlack PearlFlying DutchmanQueen Anne's RevengeHMS InterceptorHMS DauntlessHMS EndeavorJolly MonSilent MaryThe Sailing Ship Columbia
Objects
Jack Sparrow's hatJack Sparrow's swordJack Sparrow's compassCursed TreasureTreasure of CortésElizabeth Swann's gold medallionRagetti's wooden eyeJar of DirtDavy Jones' pipe organKey to the Dead Man's ChestDead Man's ChestMao Kun MapPirata CodexJack Sparrow's Pirate BeadsSword of TritonJack Sparrow Voodoo DollChalices of CartagenaDark MagicVoodooDavy Jones and Calypso's LocketsTrident of Poseidon
Music
"Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" • Theme park soundtrackSoundtrack Treasures CollectionPirates of the Caribbean and Other VillainsSwashbuckling Sea Songs1966 soundtrackThe Medallion CallsHe's a PiratePirates RemixedHoist the ColoursMy Jolly Sailor Bold
See Also
Pirates of the Caribbean Trading Card GameLiar's DicePirates of the ScareibbeanSwashbucklersCalypso's Maelstrom
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