A cardinal compass point refers to any of the four main points on a compass: north, east, south, and west. These points are considered cardinal because they mark the most important and widely recognized directions on a compass rose. Each cardinal compass point is associated with a specific bearing that indicates a specific direction.
North is the cardinal compass point situated at a 0-degree bearing relative to a compass, indicating the direction towards the Earth's North Pole. East marks the 90-degree bearing, representing the direction where the sun rises. South is the point at a 180-degree bearing, indicating the opposite direction of north, towards the Earth's South Pole. Lastly, west denotes the 270-degree bearing, representing the direction where the sun sets.
Cardinal compass points are pivotal in navigation, providing a reference for determining positions and directions. They serve as a basis for establishing bearings and bearings in combination with intermediate directions such as northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest, which can give more precise directions.
Beyond their navigational significance, cardinal compass points have also acquired symbolic and metaphorical meanings. North can embody ideas of stability, wisdom, and guidance, while east is often associated with beginnings, hope, and new opportunities. South may represent warmth, prosperity, and exploration, while west can evoke notions of endings, change, and reflection. These additional connotations highlight the cultural and metaphorical significance that cardinal compass points hold in various contexts.
