Itäisyys

Itäisyys is a Finnish term meaning easternness or eastern orientation. Etymology: itä means east, and the suffix -isyys marks a state or quality. The term can refer to geographical direction, cultural orientation, or aesthetic associations linked to the East in Finnish discourse.

In geography and cartography, itäisyys describes an eastern location relative to a reference point. In cultural studies and literature, itäisyys denotes a set of East-associated meanings—historical, religious, artistic—that vary with time and context. In art and design, itäisyys may describe motifs, colors, or forms intended to evoke Eastern traditions.

In philosophy and identity studies, itäisyys is used to examine how East and West are imagined and how globalization influences Finnish self-understanding. Because "the East" covers diverse regions and histories, interpretations of itäisyys are often debated and dependent on specific frameworks.