Here's a breakdown:

* Cardinal Directions: The four main points (North, South, East, West) are the most prominent and are usually marked with longer lines or larger symbols.

* Intercardinal Directions: These are the directions in between the cardinal directions (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest). They are often marked with shorter lines or smaller symbols.

* Subcardinal Directions: Some compass roses also include subcardinal directions, such as North-Northeast, East-Northeast, etc. These are even less prominent and often only seen on detailed compass roses.

The number of points on a compass star can vary, but the most common ones have:

* 4 points: Representing the four cardinal directions.

* 8 points: Representing the four cardinal and four intercardinal directions.

* 16 points: Representing the four cardinal, four intercardinal, and eight subcardinal directions.

Important Note: The compass rose is a navigational tool that helps determine direction. The points on the star are not actual physical points on the Earth but represent directions relative to the observer.