What is the significance of facing east

The body was placed face up. When it was not practical to use the west-east position for the grave, a north-south positioning was the next best option. There the body would then be laid on its side, head to the north and facing east. Not all burials followed the tradition nor did all cemeteries. The reason for the east facing position is offered by tom kunesh: Note that in Christianity, the star of the Jewish astronomers from Iraq [Babylon] comes from the east.

When the West-east burial position was used, the graves hardly ever aligned with the true east. What about your bed? Look out for … Workers struggling with concentration, focus, decision-making or similar, changing their work station or desk orientation to face east or north if east is not practical.

Companies restructuring office spaces to have workers facing east or north. Entire new workplaces being built according to ancient sciences of the correct orientation. New office blocks and buildings being built to face true east and only have east or north-facing entrances.

Ever wondered why many of the great structures of Egypt, Asia etc. Re-orientation of meeting rooms, boardrooms and seminar rooms etc. Sleep Troubles? This belief is in turn the foundation for the ancient Christian practice of facing East while praying.

In fact, already in the fourth century, St. Basil wrote that an eastern orientation in prayer was one of the most ancient traditions of the Church.

This eastern orientation carries several different meanings. Most basically, the East represents Christ. So strong is the identification of Christ with the East that sometimes He is simply called by that name. In our liturgy, we also name Jesus the "Orient, splendor of eternal light and sun of justice. The East also represents heaven in various ways. First, it is the place from which Christ will return. Facing the East therefore embodies a longing for Christ's Second Coming and an expression of eschatological hope.

Based in London, Eleanor McKenzie has been writing lifestyle-related books and articles since Her articles have appeared in the "Palm Beach Times" and she is the author of numerous books published by Hamlyn U. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages.