Traditions and conventions Relative direction

this statue holds sword in proper right hand

in situations common frame of reference needed, common use egocentric view. simple example road signage. example stage blocking, stage left stage right stage , stage down are, convention, defined actor s point of view, , down stage not follow gravitational conventions of , down. example of non-egocentric view page layout, relative terms upper half left margin, etc. defined in terms of observer employed in reverse type compositor, returning egocentric view. in medicine , science, precise definitions crucial, relative directions (left , right) sides of organism, not of observer. same true in heraldry, left , right in coat of arms treated if shield being held armiger. avoid confusion, latin terminology employed: dexter , sinister right , left. proper right , proper left terms used describe images, , overcome potential confusion figure s right or proper right hand on left hand viewer of frontal image sees it.

forward , backward may defined referring object s or person s motion. forward defined direction in object moving. backward defined opposite direction forward. alternatively, forward may direction pointed observer s nose, defining backward direction nose sagittal border in observer s skull. respect ship forward indicate relative position of object lying in direction ship pointing. symmetrical objects, necessary define forward , backward in terms of expected direction. many mass transit trains built symmetrically paired control booths, , definitions of forward, backward, left, , right temporary.

given significant distance magnetic poles, 1 can figure hand using magnetic compass , sun. facing sun, before noon, north pointer of compass points left hand. after noon, points right .