Content

• To step
• Tips
• Necessities

The compass rose has a long and colorful history dating back to ancient Greece. It is a valuable tool for map makers and navigators around the world, and there are many beautiful versions of this simple, effective tool. Below we show you how to draw a compass rose with 16 points yourself.

To step

1. Draw a cross in the center of a sturdy piece of drawing paper.
   • Make two marks equidistant from the top of the paper and draw a horizontal line between them from left to right with a pencil.
   • Mark the center of the paper a few inches above and below the horizontal line, then sketch a vertical line from top to bottom. It should look like this:
     
     
2. Draw a large circle with your compass. In this example we will take a circle with a radius of 7.5 centimeters. This circle will mark the outer edge of your finished compass rose.
3. Use a protractor to mark the outer circle at 45 °, 135 °, 225 ° and 315 °, and use your pencil to draw lines from the 45 ° point to the 225 ° point, and from the 315 ° point to the 135 ° point .
4. Use another protractor to make marks around the outer circle at the following points:
   • 22.5°
   • 67.5°
   • 112.5°
   • 157.5°
   • 202.5°
   • 247.5°
   • 292.5°
   • 337.5°
5. Connect the following points:
   • 22.5 ° and 202.5 °
   • 67.5 ° and 247.5 °
   • 112.5 ° and 292.5 °
   • 157.5 ° and 337.5 °
     
     
6. Draw a second circle with a radius of 5 cm.
7. Set your compass at a 1-inch radius, then sketch a third circle in the center.
8. Sketch the arrows for the main wind directions. Start at the 0 ° point (N) on the outer circle, and draw to the intersection of the 45 ° point and the inner circle.
   • Do the same from the 0 ° point to the intersection with the 315 ° point and the inner circle.
   • Repeat this process at the 90 ° point (O), drawing lines to intersect the inner circle and the 45 ° and 135 ° points; at the 180 ° point (Z), draw lines to intersect the inner circle and the 135 ° and 225 ° points; and from the 270 ° point (W), draw lines to intersect the inner circle and the 225 ° and 315 ° points. Your compass rose should look like this:
     
     
9. Sketch the secondary points. Start at the 45 ° point (NE) on the outer circle, and draw to the intersection with the 22.5 ° point and the right side of the wind direction N.
   • Do the same from the 45 ° point to the intersection with the 67.5 ° point and the top of the E wind direction.
   • Repeat this process at the 135 ° point (SE), drawing lines around the bottom of the wind direction E intersecting with the right side of the wind direction Z; at the 225 ° point (SW), draw lines to intersect the left side of the wind direction Z with the bottom of the wind direction W; and from the 315 ° point (NW), draw lines to intersect the top of the wind direction W with the left side of the wind direction N. Your compass rose should now look like this:
     
     
10. Add the last points, starting with the NNE point. Start at the intersection of the outer circle with the 22.5 ° point, and draw a line from the outer circle to the intersection of the middle circle and the right side of the wind direction N. Do the same from the 22.5 ° point to the intersection of the middle circle and the top of the wind direction NE.
    • Repeat this process at the 67.5 ° point (ONE), drawing connecting lines to intersect the center circle with the bottom of the wind direction NE and the top of the wind direction E.
    • From the 112.5 ° point (ESE) to the bottom of the E wind direction and the top of the SE wind direction.
    • From the 157.5 ° point (SE) to the bottom of the SE wind direction and the right side of the Z wind direction.
    • From the 202.5 ° point (SW) to the left of the S wind direction and the bottom of the SW wind direction.
    • From the 247.5 ° point (WSW) to the top of the SW wind direction and the bottom of the W wind direction.
    • From the 292.5 ° point (WNW) to the top of the wind direction W and the bottom of the wind direction NW.
    • And from the 337.5 ° point (NNW) to the top of the NW wind direction and the left side of the N. Wind direction. Your compass rose should now look like this:
      
      
11. Add the names of the cardinal directions:
12. Add your favorite colors and have fun navigating!

Tips

• Search the internet for color combinations to find colors that go well together. Use bright colors for a vibrant look, or soft colors on parchment for an old-fashioned look.

Necessities

• Paper
• Compass
• Protractor
• Ruler