Orientation in space is an important aspect of measurement most commonly associated with direction finding. Humans tend to divide geographical space in a horizontal plane into four primary directions or areas deriving from an embodied experience of the world: in front, behind, left and right (Tuan 1977, 34–37). As the body is mobile and positions are relative, establishing, remembering or communicating direction requires external reference. In the absence of a compass or equipment for measuring direction, reference can be made to landscape features or, over longer distances and in the absence of distinctive landscape features (for example, at sea), reference can be made to the Sun and stars, or, where they exist, prevailing winds (see also Morley, this volume).

In settled communities, patterning in orientation is sometimes found in architecture. In many regions this derives from environmental considerations: structures oriented towards or away from a prevailing wind or towards or away from the Sun, depending on the conditions of a particular area. Patterning is also frequently found in the orientation of structures toward landscape features such as the sea, a river, or a route or feature created by human intervention in the landscape. Sometimes, however, patterning in orientation may be found in contexts in which pragmatic explanations are lacking or seem unlikely. These may suggest underlying religious or cosmological considerations; examples include patterning in the orientation of tombs, the orientation of mosques toward Mecca or churches toward the east (replacing earlier orientation toward Jerusalem).