Leiðarvísir

Leiðarvísir is an Icelandic term that can mean a guide, a direction indicator, or a source of guidance. The word is a compound of leið, meaning "way" or "path," and vísir, meaning "indicator" or "sign." In everyday Icelandic, leiðarvísir refers to anything that shows the path to take or offers direction.

Used physically, a leiðarvísir can be a street sign, a map, or another navigational aid that helps a traveler determine where to go. In writing and media, the term is used for manuals, instruction guides, or reference materials that explain how something works or how to complete a task. In organizational or policy contexts, leiðarvísir is often used metaphorically to denote guiding principles, strategic directions, or policy guidelines that steer decisions and actions.

The concept carries a sense of orientation and clarity: it helps reduce uncertainty by providing a concrete or agreed-upon way to proceed. While not all languages differentiate between "guide" and "sign" in the same way Icelandic does, leiðarvísir emphasizes a directional function—pointing the user toward a chosen path, outcome, or standard of conduct.

In contemporary Icelandic usage, the term appears in travel writing, public administration, education, and technology discussions, as well as in everyday conversation to refer to both tangible signs and intangible guidelines.