Minecraft wiki entry for Model, associated text: A torch can be placed on all four sides of a block and therefore needs four different variants, one for each side. These are called "facing=east", "facing=west", "facing=south" and "facing=north". All four variants use "block/wall_torch" as their model, which is rotated by a multiple of 90 degrees around the "y" axis to align with the different sides of the block they are placed on.