What is the correct name for the compass-like symbol that is used on maps to indicate directions, usually north and sometimes the other 3 directions? Help from anyone is welcomed.

I was going to say cardinal or ordinal, but now I'm thinking there's yet another word, specifically for it. somebody'll have it.

welcome to the board, casey!

I believe it is called a compass rose.

Was named after an ancestor of mine, Rose Remington; her husband, Tate Remington, invented a compass that had a fixed needle and a flat disc below it that turned freely. The problem was, though, that you could not tell which way magneitc north was. Leading to the accusation that "He who has a Tate's is lost."

Go away and practise. That was horrible!

"He who has a Tate's is lost."

Some things lost are better left unfound, TEdRem.

If your needle is spinning, there's no point in your compass.

http://www.gisnet.com/notebook/comprose.html
For history and an example of a Compass Rose.

If you want a print out version of a compass rose to paint on your wall (!?) try this :
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/printouts/compassrose

You are probably non compass mentis.

Thanx everyone (even the one whose ancestor was named Tate!!!) Now I cam write my Letter to the Editor and sound as erudite as the rest of youse guys.

non compass mentis

You're pointin' "true north" on that one, TEdRem.

>>and sound as erudite as the rest of youse guys<<

That's you'ze guys.
;)

That's you'ze guys.

I cannot compass what "you'ze" means.

The compass rose is the symbol of the Anglican Communion and the official logo of the Anglican Consultative Council.

http://www.epischicago.org/Faith/Heritage/AboutCompassRose.cfm

compass rose

The secular version is not capitalized and it is not symbolic, only stylized.

http://www.eoascientific.com/cartography/aaMaps_M3_compass_Z.htm

This site gives an interesting brief history of the compass rose. It has apparently been appearing on maps since the 1300s.

http://www.gisnet.com/notebook/comprose.html

The expression ‘boxing the compass’, by the way, means to name all 32 points of the compass in correct order. It has come to figuratively indicate a state of confusion.

Re "Boxing the compass": It has come to figuratively indicate a state of confusion.

Good one, dxb.

It's like "You're all over the map."

Or you're "spinning your wheels" ... except with a needle.

Which reminds me ... I should start a new thread.

I learned to box the compass when a young sailor in Uncle Sam's Navy. It struck me as such important and necessary knowledge that I taught it to my children when they were wee. Each of then could stand at attention and box the compass, loudly, by the time they were five years old. It is a nautical thing ... or perhaps a salty form of child abuse.

Hey, ya only gots ta know one direction. East. Then ya'll never git disorientated.

Unless you are in Hawaii - where N.S.E.W. are useless!
For example, on O'ahu (where Honolulu is) directions are given as toward Diamond Head, toward Ewa (pronounced evah) toward the mountain -mauka or toward the sea - makai.
So you might hear directions as "Go Diamond Head three blocks then turn mauka and Kinau Street is the first left."
Since all the Hawaiian islands are basically volcanos they all have a mountain and - must I mention? - they are all surrounded by the sea!
There are similar directions based on local landmarks on each of the majotr islands - Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island) Molokai, Kaui and Lanai - but I'm not going into all that, thank you! ;)
While I'm on the subject - as a matter of courtesy the contiguous states are called The Mainland - never as The States. After all, Hawaii is a state!!