Mosques are oriented so that the mihrab faces Mecca. Christian churches have usually been oriented with the apse or altar at the eastern end. Orientation is frequently planned to take maximum advantage of daily and seasonal variations of sunlight.

• 清真寺会决定朝向使米哈拉布能朝向麦加。基督教的教堂常以放在东端的后堂或圣坛朝向。建筑朝向的设计常以能最大限度地利用日照在日间和季节上的变化为依据。