guiding star; a star that is used as a reference point in navigation or astronomy
<noun.object>
something that serves as a model or guide
<noun.cognition>
Loadstar \Load"star`\, Lodestar \Lode"star`\, n. [Load, lode + star. See {Lode}.] 1. A star that leads; a guiding star; esp., the polestar, Polaris; also, the constellation containing the pole star, the cynosure (Ursa Minor). --Chaucer. `` Your eyes are lodestars.'' --Shak.
The pilot can no loadstar see. --Spenser.
2. Something that serves as a guide or provides direction; a cynosure[2]. [PJC]
3. Something that attracts attention or on which the atention is fixed; a cynosure[3]. [PJC]