Wind rose 01

Dwg drawing for laser or plasma cutting

Drawing dwg for laser or plasma cutting on sheet metal for entrance gates.
Drawing on a scale of 1:100 but can be used in any size.

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The compass rose is an ancient navigational tool that graphically represents the direction of the winds. Its design appears as a circle divided into various sectors, each indicating a cardinal, intercardinal, and sometimes additional secondary directions.

Design of the Compass Rose

Center: The center of the rose represents the reference point from which the winds are observed.

Cardinal points: The traditional compass rose has 4 main cardinal points: North (N), East (E), South (S), and West (W).

Intercardinal points: Between the main cardinal points, there are the intercardinal points: Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), and Northwest (NW).

Intermediate points: In more detailed versions, there are also intermediate points like NNE (North-Northeast), ENE (East-Northeast), etc.

Decorations: Traditionally, the tip of the arrow indicating North is often decorated with a fleur-de-lis or a North Star.

Origin of the Compass Rose

The compass rose has ancient origins, dating back to the times of the Greeks and Romans. However, the version we know today significantly evolved during the Middle Ages, thanks to Italian and Portuguese navigators and cartographers.

• Antiquity: The Greeks recognized eight main winds and used a simple eight-pointed rose. The Romans also adopted this model.
• Middle Ages: During the Middle Ages, with the development of navigation, the compass rose evolved to include 16 or 32 points, allowing for more precise navigation.

Uses of the Compass Rose

The compass rose has several uses, mainly in the maritime field but also in other disciplines:

Maritime navigation: It was historically used by sailors to orient themselves at sea, determining the wind direction relative to their course.

Cartography: The compass rose is often present on nautical charts to indicate the prevailing wind directions and assist with orientation.

Meteorology: It is used to represent the prevailing wind directions in a specific geographical area.

Symbolism: Today, the compass rose is also a decorative symbol and is used in crests, logos, tattoos, and various designs, representing guidance, orientation, and direction.

Curiosities

• The term “compass rose” derives from the design’s resemblance to the petals of a rose expanding from the center outward.
• In some cultures, the compass rose is associated with spiritual or symbolic beliefs, representing protection and guidance.

In summary, the compass rose is an ancient and fascinating tool, whose use ranges from practical navigation to more abstract and symbolic representations in the modern world.

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