If you happen to get lost in the dark, the position of the Moon in the sky can help us determine the direction.
Since the Moon is also located on the ecliptic, it appears to rise in the East and set in the West like the Sun. However, the Moon differs from the Sun in that it goes through phases of being full and crescent, which slightly alters how we determine direction.
Our folklore has a saying:
The crescent Moon at the beginning is in the East.
The crescent Moon at the end is in the West.
Or simply remember:
Beginning of the month, the Moon is white in the West.
End of the month, the Moon is black in the West.
(West here refers to the actual direction West)
This means that during the days leading up to the full Moon (from the 1st to the 14th of the lunar month), the crescent part of the Moon will point towards the East.
In the days before the full Moon, the crescent part of the Moon will point towards the East.
On the full Moon night, we observe the bright round Moon shining in the sky. We can also use the “Owen Doff Method” to determine the direction.
As for the days following the full Moon (from the 17th to the 30th), the crescent part of the Moon will point towards the West.
Determining Direction Using Landmarks and Natural Indicators
If there is no compass, no sunlight, and no Moon… we must rely on some classical methods used by those who travel in the wilderness. Though the accuracy may not be high, these methods can help a lost person feel more secure and calm in finding their way back.
First, if you have a map, you can use specific signs or landmarks. For example, a bridge or a national road that you know well the direction and position of on the map. From there, you can determine your location and differentiate between various directions.
- Sunflowers always face East, hence their name (facing the rising sun).
- The distinctive shapes of tall tree trunks in dense forests tend to lean towards the rising sun to catch sunlight.
- In tropical regions, moss (or lichen that grows symbiotically) will predominantly grow on the trunk’s western side. In temperate regions, moss will grow on the northern side.
- In bushes or solitary trees, during months with northeast winds (cold winds), the direction from where birds fly out frequently and where there is a lot of bird droppings at the base of the tree indicates the southwest direction.
- The core of a large tree trunk (if the trunk is cut across) will point towards the north.
- Based on the flight direction of birds: In winter, they migrate south, and in summer, they fly north (only consider the birds flying high).
- Bamboo shoots and young banana plants usually grow larger towards the East, while those in other directions grow smaller.
- Ant nests are often built with many leaves facing north (including nests both in trees and on the ground, except in low areas that receive little rain and wind).
- Holes made by bees or birds in trees are commonly oriented southeast.
Simple Ways to Determine Direction Using the Sun and Experience
