Wind Vane On A Garden Background. Royalty-Free Stock Image

Wind vane on a garden background. A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock is an instrument used for showing the direction of the wind. It is typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building. The word vane comes from the Old English word fana, meaning `flag`. To determine wind direction, a wind vane spins and points in the direction from which the wind is coming and generally has two parts, or ends one that is usually shaped like an arrow and turns into the wind and one end that is wider so that it catches the breeze. Therefore a west wind is blowing from the west. Make and Use a Wind Vane to determine Wind Direction. Knowing the direction of the wind is an important part of predicting the weather because the wind brings us our weather. A wind vane, also called a weather vane, is a tool for measuring wind direction and was probably one of the first weather instruments ever used. A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock is an instrument used for showing the direction of the wind. It is typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building.