Occidental vs. Orient — What's the Difference?

Pertaining to the Western world, emphasizing freedom and innovation.

Relating to the East, emphasizing harmony and community.

Reflecting Western artistic traditions, focusing on personal expression.

Cuisine that focuses on balance and specific cooking methods.

Educational practices in Occidental cultures promote critical thinking.

Educational systems that emphasize respect for authority.

Governance in Occidental societies is typically democratic.

In art and literature, reflecting communal and traditional themes.

In cuisine, Occidental dishes incorporate a diverse array of ingredients.

Governance may include a range of systems, with varying public roles.

Relating to the countries of the West

The Orient is a term for the East, traditionally comprising anything that belongs to the Eastern world, in relation to Europe. It is the antonym of Occident, the Western World.

A native or inhabitant of the West

Orient The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia.

Of or relating to the countries of the Occident or their peoples or cultures; western.

The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality.

A native or inhabitant of an Occidental country; a westerner.

A pearl having exceptional luster.

Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western.

(Archaic) The place on the horizon where the sun rises; the east.

Of a gem or precious stone: of inferior value or quality.

Having exceptional luster

A Western Christian of the Latin rite

(Archaic) Eastern; oriental.

Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western; - opposed to oriental; as, occidental climates, or customs; an occidental planet.

To align or position in a particular direction or in a particular relation to the points of the compass

Possessing inferior hardness, brilliancy, or beauty; - used of inferior precious stones and gems, because those found in the Orient are generally superior.

To build (a church) with the nave laid out in an east-west direction and the main altar usually at the eastern end.

A native inhabitant of the Occident

To determine the bearings of (oneself); cause (one) to know one's position in relation to the surroundings

An artificial language

To make familiar with a new situation

Denoting or characteristic of countries of Europe and the Western Hemisphere;

To provide with a primary purpose or focus of attention

Usually preceded by the: Orient

The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the morning; the east.

(obsolete) A pearl originating from the Indian region, reputed to be of great brilliance; (by extension) any pearl of particular beauty and value.

(by extension) The brilliance or colour of a high-quality pearl.

Rising, like the morning sun.

Of the colour of the sky at daybreak; bright in colour, from red to yellow.

Of, facing, or located in the east; eastern, oriental.

Of a pearl or other gem: of great brilliance and value; (by extension) bright, lustrous.

(transitive) To build or place (something) so as to face eastward.

To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to the corresponding direction in nature.

(transitive) To direct towards or point at a particular direction.

To determine which direction one is facing.

To familiarize (oneself or someone) with a circumstance or situation.

To set the focus of (something) so as to appeal or relate to a certain group.

(intransitive) To change direction to face a certain way.

Rising, as the sun.

Eastern; oriental.

Bright; lustrous; superior; pure; perfect; pellucid; - used of gems and also figuratively, because the most perfect jewels are found in the East.

The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the morning; the east.

The countries of Asia or the East.

A pearl of great luster.

To define the position of, in relation to the orient or east; hence, to ascertain the bearings of.

To acquaint with new surroundings or a new situation.

Fig.: To correct or set right by recurring to first principles; to arrange in order; to orientate.

Same as Orientate, 2.

To place (a map or chart) so that its east side, north side, etc., lie toward the corresponding parts of the horizon;

The countries of Asia

The hemisphere that includes Eurasia and Africa and Australia

Be oriented;

Determine one's position with reference to another point

Cause to point;

(poetic) eastern;

Occidental cultures focus on individualism and democracy.

It encourages critical thinking and questioning of authority.

They prioritize community and tradition, often placing societal harmony above individual goals.

Democracies and republics are common, promoting public participation.

It often incorporates communal values and historical narratives.

They can vary widely, including monarchies and single-party states.

It is noted for its emphasis on balance, harmony, and specific cooking techniques.

Occidental cuisine is known for its diversity, while Oriental cuisine emphasizes balance and harmony.

Democracies with regular, free elections represent Occidental governance.

Oriental education focuses more on memorization and respect for authority.

There's a strong focus on individual achievement and personal expression.

It places a strong emphasis on respect for authority and memorization.

It can lead to governance systems that emphasize societal harmony over individual rights.

It's central, affecting everything from governance and education to art and personal expression.

Its diversity and incorporation of a wide range of ingredients.