: Search icon direction why are search icons facing northwest instead of northeast? A northwest facing search icon like facebook's feels awkward. And so is google chrome's search icon.. so.. why?

@Berumen635

The magnifying glass icon is shown leaning north west because it was originally a mouse cursor. Other mouse pointers such as the arrow and the pointing hand are shown as if they are being used from the right hand.

Action and progress typically move from left to right on screens, and symmetry/balance are important components so the lean can look odd, but the pointer coming from the right feels more natural to the majority of mouse users.

Also you can fit more long graphics in a rectangle if you go corner to corner.

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