compass rose
Map's orientation symbol
A compass rose is the circular diagram on maps and nautical charts showing directional points—north, south, east, west, and their intermediates.
The design typically features radiating lines or a star pattern, with north at the top.
The name comes from its resemblance to an open flower.
The old map had an ornate compass rose in the corner.
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
- northeastDirection between two poles
southeast · northwest · southwest · cardinal · intercardinal · ordinal · bearing · azimuth
Navigating through physical spaces
- pilotingControlling a vehicle's course
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- chartingRecording data visually
- bearingPosture or orientation
course · route · pathfinding · orienteering · dead reckoning · celestial navigation · GPS · sextant
Spatial representation of terrain
- chartData shown visually
- atlasBound collection of charts
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- scaleMeasure of relative size
projection · meridian · equator · latitude · longitude · topography · contour · GIS
Act of finding something
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- voyageJourney by sea
- unchartedNot yet documented
territory · frontier · quest · journey · cartographer · Age of Discovery · Magellan · Columbus
Thing that beautifies
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- motifRecurring thematic element
- illustrationPicture explaining something
engraving · flourish · decoration · heraldry · fleur-de-lis · star · rays · points
north
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
northeast · southeast · northwest · southwest · cardinal · intercardinal · ordinal · bearing · azimuth · degrees
wayfinding
Navigating through physical spaces
- pilotingControlling a vehicle's course
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- chartingRecording data visually
bearing · course · route · pathfinding · orienteering · dead reckoning · celestial navigation · GPS · sextant · astrolabe
map
Spatial representation of terrain
scale · projection · meridian · equator · latitude · longitude · topography · contour · GIS · surveying
discovery
Act of finding something
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- voyageJourney by sea
uncharted · territory · frontier · quest · journey · cartographer · Age of Discovery · Magellan · Columbus · da Gama
ornament
Thing that beautifies
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- motifRecurring thematic element
illustration · engraving · flourish · decoration · heraldry · fleur-de-lis · star · rays · points · tattoo
nautical
Of ships and sailing
mariner · helm · starboard · port · anchor · buoy · lighthouse · harbor · captain · voyage
- Mappingmap, digital maps, GPS, latitude, street maps
- Map Termslatitude, longitude, equator, meridian, prime meridian
- nautical artseascape, sailing ships, sailing ship, clipper ship, naval battle
- nautical decorship wheel, ship model, ship models, nautical flag, ship bell
- navigation iconsarrow, location pin, map pin, home icon, forward arrow
- Pre-electric technologywaterwheel, water wheel, windlass, pulley, plow
compass rosescale bar
Map distance indicator
legend · map key · inset map · grid reference · coordinate system
rose, compass, composed, rosy, compose, composition, composure, composer, roses