Wind direction is recorded using a wind vane, a device that indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing. Wind vanes typically consist of a horizontal pole mounted on a vertical axis, with a flat or arrow-shaped object attached to the top of the pole. The object is designed to align itself with the wind, and the direction from which it is pointing indicates the wind direction.

Wind vanes are often used in combination with anemometers, which measure wind speed. Anemometers and wind vanes are commonly used in meteorology, aviation, and other fields where it is important to know the wind direction and speed.

There are different types of wind vanes, but the most common type is the traditional weather vane. Weather vanes are often used as decorative elements on buildings, and they can also be used to indicate the wind direction for practical purposes.

Another type of wind vane is the bivane, which consists of two vanes mounted on a vertical axis at right angles to each other. Bivanes are used to measure the wind direction in three dimensions, and they are often used in research and military applications.

Wind direction can also be recorded using electronic sensors, such as ultrasonic anemometers. Ultrasonic anemometers use ultrasonic waves to measure the wind speed and direction, and they are often used in automated weather stations.