Polynesian Compass


Polynesian Compass is the knowledge and use of cardinal direction and astronomy as parts of a larger system in traditional navigation and wayfinding.

The Polynesian Compass can be identified closer to a system that predates European contact. It is not a direct comparison to a tool such as the modern compass which use magnetic properties, gyroscopes, and/or GPS (Global Positioning System)/ Satellite navigation

The understanding of cardinal direction by Polynesians and Pacific Islands was a is prerequisite to the Polynesian Compass. Here is the Polynesian Compass and cardinal direction in Polynesian languages including Sāmoan language, Hawaiʻian language, Tongan, Tahitian and Māori

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Learn more about Polynesian Navigation >>>


English Sāmoan Word Hawaiʻian Word Tongan Word Tahitian Word Māori Word Scientific
Compass 0° N Mātū ʻĀkau Tokelau Toʻerau Tuaraki N 0°
Compass 011.25° NbE Haka Koʻolau Haka Whakararo Haka Tokerau NbE 11.25°
Compass 022.5° NNE Mātū Mātū i Sisifo Nā Leo Koʻolau Tokelau TokelauHahake Pāhaʻapiti Ngā Reo Tokerau NNE 22.5°
Compass 033.75° NbNE Nālani Koʻolau Ngā Rangi Tokerau NbNE 33.75°
Compass 045° NE Mātū i Sasaʻe Manu Koʻolau Tokelau Hahake Haʻapiti Manu Tokerau NE 45°
Compass 056.25° NEbE Noio Koʻolau Hitiʻa o te rā Ngoi Tokerau NEbE 56.25°
Compass 067.5° ENE Sasaʻe Mātū i Sasaʻe ʻĀina Koʻolau Hahake Tokelauhahake Kāinga Tokerau ENE 67.5°
Compass 076.75° EbN Lā Koʻolau Rā Tokerau EbN 76.75°
Compass 090° E Sasaʻe Hikina Hahake Maoaʻe Marangai E 90°
Compass 101.25° EbS Lā Malanai Rā Marangai EbS 101.25°
Compass 112.5° ESE Sasaʻe Saute i Sasaʻe ʻĀina Malanai Hahake Tongahake Pāmaoaʻe Kāinga Marangai ESE 112.5°
Compass 123.75° SEbE Noio Malanai Ngoi Marangai SEbE 123.75°
Compass 135° SE Saute i Sasaʻe Manu Malanai Tonga Hahake Maraʻamu Manu Marangai SE 135°
Compass 146.25° SEbS Nālani Malanai Maraʻaiʻaru Ngā Rangi Marangai SEbS 146.25°
Compass 157.5° SSE Saute Saute i Sasaʻe Nā Leo Malanai Tonga Tongahake Ngā Reo Marangai SSE 157.5°
Compass 168.75° SbE Haka Malanai ʻApatoʻa Haka Marangai SbE 168.75°
Compass 180° S Saute Hema Tonga Toʻa Tonga S 180°
Compass 191.25° SbW Haka Kona SbW 191.25°
Compass 202.5° SSW Saute Saute i Sisifo Nā Leo Kona Tonga Tongahihifo ʻĀrueroa Ngā Reo Whakarunga SSW 202.5°
Compass 213.75° SWbS Nālani Kona Ngā Rangi Whakarunga SWbS 213.75°
Compass 225° SW Saute i Sisifo Manu Kona Tokelau Hihifo Urupā Manu Whakarunga SW 225°
Compass 236.25° SWbW Noio Kona ʻApatoʻa Ngoi WhakarungaNgoi Whakarunga SWbW 236.25°
Compass 247.5° WSW Sisifo Saute i Sisifo ʻĀina Kona Hihifo Tongahihifo Uru Kāinga Whakarunga WSW 247.5°
Compass 258.75° WbS Lā Kona Rā Whakarunga WbS 258.75°
Compass 270° W Sisifo Komohana Hihifo Raro Hauāuru W 270°
Compass 281.25° WbN Lā Hoʻolua Rā Whakararo WbN 281.25°
Compass 292.5° WNW Sisifo Mātū i Sisifo ʻĀina Hoʻolua Hihifo Tokelauhihifo Pāparu Kāinga Whakararo WNW 292.5°
Compass 303.75° NWbW Noio Hoʻolua Toʻoʻa Ngoi Whakararo NWbW 303.75°
Compass 315° NW Mātū i Sisifo Manu Hoʻolua Tokelau Hihifo Pāfāʻite Manu Whakararo NW 315°
Compass 326.25° NWbN Nālani Hoʻolua Ngā Rangi Whakararo NWbN 326.25°
Compass 337.5° NNW Mātū Mātū i Sisifo Nā Leo Hoʻolua Tokelau Tokelauhihifo Mohio Ngā Reo Whakararo NNW 337.5°
Compass 348.75° NbW Haka Hoʻolua Haka Whakararo NbW 348.75°

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This information is also apart of the Pasefika Polynesian dictionary project of Jon Apisa intended as a comparative dictionary to view similarities, differences and cognate relationships of words in multiple Polynesian languages.