Detection of a uniquely oriented line element in a background field of uniformly oriented line elements depends on the orientation of the background field. Is the orientational reference frame for this anisotropy entirely dependent on the orientations of structures outside the line-element display, the spatial regularity of the stimulus elements, and the direction of gravity? The effects of these potential cues were investigated in target-detection experiments with brief displays. The anisotropy was found whether or not gravitational or visual cues defined an orientational reference frame. Stimulus orientation may be coded with respect to the retina or body axis in rapid visual processing.