compass rose

American  

noun

1. Navigation.  a circle divided into 32 points or 360° numbered clockwise from true or magnetic north, printed on a chart or the like as a means of determining the course of a vessel or aircraft.

2. a similar design, often ornamented, used on maps to indicate the points of the compass.

---

compass rose British  

noun

1. a circle or decorative device printed on a map or chart showing the points of the compass measured from true north and usually magnetic north

---

Example Sentences

The Seattle-based cartography company turns 50 this year, providing proof as clear as the compass rose that the hard-copy map is not going the way of the phone book.

From Seattle Times

Printed on delicate yellow paper that was almost translucent, “The Americana Treasure Map” was decorated with drawings of galleons, pirates and a compass rose embellished with a skull and crossbones.

From Los Angeles Times

Kirby Club stars Rose Previte, the vision behind Maydan and Compass Rose in Washington, and Omar Hegazi, who was raised in Cairo and went on to cook at such diverse restaurants as Bourbon Steak in Georgetown and the fast-casual Zooba in New York.

From Washington Post

Compass Rose and Maydan are within a pita’s toss of Previte’s home in the District.

From Washington Post

She’s the vision behind the popular Maydan and Compass Rose restaurants in Washington, known for their live-fire and global cooking, respectively.

From Washington Post