What do the colors of a compass needle represent?

The compass needle is designed to indicate the cardinal directions based on Earth's magnetic field. The red point of the compass needle specifically designates magnetic north, meaning it aligns itself toward the North Pole. The white point, by contrast, points in the direction opposite to the red, which is magnetic south. This color coding helps users easily understand the orientation of their compass reading at a glance.

In practical navigation, knowing that red points north is crucial for determining your direction accurately. If the red end of the needle is pointing toward a certain direction, you can confidently say you are facing north, while the white end indicates that south is directly opposite where you are facing. This foundational principle is what makes the answer correct in indicating both the function and design of a traditional compass needle.