Jack Sparrow's compass

Jack Sparrow's compass is a fictional object from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

The compass first appeared in the first film. Early on, when Captain Jack is arrested by Commodore Norrington, the Commodore decides to search through Jack's possessions. Most of what he finds appears to be junk. Among the "junk" possessions, Norrington finds a compass that doesn't point north. In fact, north, south, east, and west are not even clearly specified on the compass.

Later, a hint of the compass's true nature is revealed. When Will spots Jack using the compass to find his way through a storm, he asks Gibbs how they're supposed to find the Isla de Muerta with a compass that doesn't work. Gibbs replies, "The compass doesn't point north. But we're not trying to find north, are we?" The compass points them straight to the island.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

In the second film, the full nature of the compass is revealed. Jack got the compass from Tia Dalma, a voodoo priestess. Originally, it was believed that the compass only pointed to the Isla de Muerta, but we soon learn that it points only to the things we want the most. It won't work for Jack in the beginning, because at the time, he's not sure what he wants. Near the end of the film, Jack uses the compass to choose between saving his own neck, and saving his friends.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

Although nothing is for certain, it is likely that if Captain Jack Sparrow returns for the third film (which he will), the compass will also return.