The compass needle is pointing north.
The clock's hands pointed exactly to 12 o'clock.
guiding principle; guideline; guide
Abstract standard or direction for action, policy, or thought. Often used in formal or organizational contexts.
This plan follows the company's management guidelines.
I cherish words that serve as a guiding principle in life.
The compass needle swung to point north.
The government presented guidelines for future policy.
This report will likely serve as a guide for future research.
The employees acted in accordance with the company's guidelines.
方針 refers to a concrete policy or course of action decided upon, whereas 指針 is a broader guiding standard that can be either abstract or physical.
指標 usually denotes a numerical or statistical index used to measure something, while 指針 is a guiding principle or a physical pointer, not a number.
ガイドライン is a borrowed term for a formal set of guidelines, often used in official documents, while 指針 is the native Japanese word with a similar but slightly broader sense.
指針 refers to a guiding principle or policy, while 導 is a broader, more poetic term for guidance or a guide itself.
本 is used because 指針 (a needle or indicator) is a thin, slender object.
指 (finger, point) + 針 (needle). Originally referred to a physical needle that points, then extended metaphorically to a guiding principle.