<P> The western half of the rose would be the same stars in their setting position . The true position of these stars is only approximate to their theoretical equidistant rhumbs on the sidereal compass . Stars with the same declination formed a "linear constellation" or kavenga to provide direction as the night progressed . </P> <P> A similar sidereal compass was used by Polynesian and Micronesian navigators in the Pacific Ocean, although different stars were used in a number of cases, clustering around the East - West axis . </P> <P> In Europe, the Classical 12 - wind system continued to be taught in academic settings during the Medieval era, but seafarers in the Mediterranean came up with their own distinct 8 - wind system . The mariners used names derived from the Mediterranean lingua franca--the Italian - tinged patois among Medieval sailors, composed principally of Ligurian, mixed with Venetian, Sicilian, Provençal, Catalan, Greek and Arabic terms from around the Mediterranean basin . </P> <Ul> <Li> (N) Tramontana </Li> <Li> (NE) Greco (or Bora) </Li> <Li> (E) Levante </Li> <Li> (SE) Scirocco (or Exaloc) </Li> <Li> (S) Ostro (or Mezzogiorno) </Li> <Li> (SW) Libeccio (or Garbino) </Li> <Li> (W) Ponente </Li> <Li> (NW) Maestro (or Mistral) </Li> </Ul>

Where is the compass rose on a map