Direction

The direction of a pattern is defined by the way the pattern, or a part of it, reappears in a different area.

For spaceships, puffers, rakes and certain breeders, this is defined as orthogonal (exclusively horizontal or vertical displacement), diagonal (both horizontal and vertical displacement, and oblique (other displacements, for example knightwise being horizontal being twice vertical displacement).

Also see

• List of important speeds
• Oblique spaceship