red square node on select

[jsampson45]

I am trying to select the "12 o'clock" sign ("XII" in three straight strokes) on a clock face in order to move it (the sign, not the face). I have not been able to do this so far. I notice that when I click on one of the strokes a node icon appears at one end of the stroke which is square and red, with a short red line projecting from it over the stroke (See image, hopefully). What causes this and what does it mean?

[HCl]

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[R C-R]

11 hours ago, Return said:

... the red line indicates the direction to the end node for that curve.

FWIW, from the Node Tool help page:

Quote

• View:
  •  Show Orientation—displays the segment leading up to the end node in red to help visualize the direction of the closed shape's outline (used for winding fill mode); the drawing direction is away from the red-line indicator.

 

 

You can disable this in the Context toolbar if it annoys you.