Left-Justified Fantasy Map: Difference between revisions
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Ever noticed how many [[Fantasy World Map|fantasy maps]] will detail the ocean on the left, western side? In many cases there won't even be an eastern or northern shore; however, there may be a southern shore. |
Ever noticed how many [[Fantasy World Map|fantasy maps]] will detail the ocean on the left, western side? In many cases there won't even be an eastern or northern shore; however, there may be a southern shore. |
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There are several possible reasons for this. For European writers, the Atlantic Ocean is on the left, so this may come into play toward influencing the [[Left Justified Fantasy Map]] as well. Also the Mediterranean Sea is on the west side of Israel and the Biblical lands. In the United States, the Pacific Ocean is on the left, but most of the population of the United States is in the east, so why do we hardly ever see Right Justified Fantasy Maps? Because [[Hollywood|LA]] [[ |
There are several possible reasons for this. For European writers, the Atlantic Ocean is on the left, so this may come into play toward influencing the [[Left Justified Fantasy Map]] as well. Also the Mediterranean Sea is on the west side of Israel and the Biblical lands. In the United States, the Pacific Ocean is on the left, but most of the population of the United States is in the east, so why do we hardly ever see Right Justified Fantasy Maps? Because [[Hollywood|LA]] [[SoCalization|is on the west coast]], perhaps? Hmm... this might be a good opportunity to [[Inverted Trope|invert a common trope]]... |
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The real reason for this, of course, is that [[ |
The real reason for this, of course, is that [[Sturgeon's Law|ninety percent]] of fantasy settings are [[Fantasy Counterpart Culture|Fantasy Counterpart Cultures]] of [[Medieval European Fantasy|Medieval Europe]], where the ocean was, naturally, on the left - for the same reason, the North is often a [[Grim Up North|barren tundra full of barbarian tribes]] and the East a mysterious land whence [[Born in The Saddle|ride]] the [[Hordes From the East]]. Another explanation is that ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' [[Follow the Leader|did it first]]. (Note: The Frank Baum series of OZ books had maps illustrated with east and west flipped. However, the only ocean, the Nonestic, is in the far east as Oz proper is technically land-locked.) |
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An interesting historical aside: Throughout most of the middle ages, maps were drawn with ''East'' at the top, rather than North. (This is how the word "orient" came to mean "face the correct direction.") A fantasy map that followed this convention would be ''bottom''-justified, instead of left-justified. |
An interesting historical aside: Throughout most of the middle ages, maps were drawn with ''East'' at the top, rather than North. (This is how the word "orient" came to mean "face the correct direction.") A fantasy map that followed this convention would be ''bottom''-justified, instead of left-justified. |
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See also: [[Patchwork Map]]; [[Standard Fantasy Setting]]. |
See also: [[Patchwork Map]]; [[Standard Fantasy Setting]]. |
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{{examples |
{{examples}} |
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== Anime == |
== Anime == |