The Italian invention
of the compass, around 1200AD, changed the course of travel upon
the seas for all time. Once, the sun and stars were the only
pathways to foreign places but with the invention of the compass,
intrepid adventurers could travel the globe.
The face of the
compass, known as the compass rose, originated from the earlier
wind rose, which was an instrument that was invented to mark
the direction of wind. Like the wind rose the compass rose was
originally divided into four points showing the direction of
the four winds (north, south, east and west). Later, 12 other
points were made based on the zodiac to fine tune direction and
for map reading. The final 16 additions were added to gain more
precise bearings, resembling a stylized rose.
The earliest
compass roses, named the winds by where the destination would
be if you followed that heading. In early times, ships were driven
from downwind, with that in mind the early inventors marked the
rose with headings like Gregale wind (Greece-a NE heading) and
Sirocco wind (Syria-a SE heading) denoting the landing point
if you followed certain headings in the Mediterranean Sea.
 Even
though there isn’t a standard for drafting a compass rose
there are some components that are consistent. The spearhead
or fleur-de-lis crest denotes north and helps when orienting
a compass to a map. The east side of the rose has a cross, denoting
the direction to paradise. The markings on the compass rose were
colored for ease in viewing by candlelight, black for the cardinal
points touching the outer ring (north, south, east, west, northeast,
southeast, southwest and northwest), ½ points (touching
the inner ring) are blue or green, and the ¼ points are
usually red.
Four Points of
a Circle: The Compass Rose comprises two Peyote stitched bangles
that represent my interpretation of the early compass roses.
The first bangle, representing the outer ring of the compass
rose, is divided into four equal sections marked with bezel set
stones and pearls, adding a distinct elegance to the design.
The second bangle is a simplified version of the first and represents
the inner ring of the compass rose. Both bangles are supported
with an unusual armature lending support and structure.
Skill level: Advanced. Must be comfortable
with Peyote stitch.
Workshop length:
2 days
Photos: Mark
Rutledge
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