The 'Compass Rose' on maps was originally named after wind directions, not magnetic needles.

The concept of the wind rose dates back to antiquity, with Homer and Aristotle describing systems of two, four, or eight winds. By the 13th century, Italian and Catalan sailors used 'Portolan' charts featuring a 32-point Rose of the Winds. These charts were essential for Mediterranean trade, where seasonal winds like the Gregale and Scirocco dictated travel routes.The names of the winds were deeply rooted in local geography. For example, 'Tramontana' meant 'from the mountains' to the north, while 'Levante' referred to the rising sun in the east. The transition to the modern 32-point system occurred as sailors required more precision, dividing the eight primary winds into half-winds and quarter-winds. This geometric division created the star-like pattern we recognize today.The fleur-de-lis symbol became the standard North marker around the 14th century. It began as a Gothic 'T' for Tramontana but was eventually stylized into a lily, likely influenced by the French House of Bourbon. Similarly, the East point was often marked with a cross to indicate the direction of Jerusalem. These symbols highlight how navigation was a blend of geography, religion, and linguistic tradition before the dominance of magnetic north.