Part 3/8:
In the 1400s, for example, cartographers like Frobenaur oriented maps with South at the top, challenging today’s North-oriented norm. Many ancient maps even placed East at the top, reflecting the importance of the sunrise or religious considerations. These conventions demonstrate that our perception of “up” and “down” is culturally and historically constructed, not intrinsic to the Earth itself.
No Absolute Top or Bottom in the Universe
The concept of a “top” or “bottom” becomes even more meaningless when considering celestial bodies like the Moon or Earth. The Moon, even with a defined North and South Pole, has no universally agreed “top” or “bottom.” Observers in different parts of the world will perceive these directions differently, depending on their location and orientation.