Abstract: Apparatus for orienting containers which have at least one ear on a side of the container is disclosed. Such apparatus is especially suited for use in combination with labeling equipment for applying a label to the oriented container so that at least one opening in a label registers with the at least one ear on the container. The apparatus comprises a star wheel with pockets which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets, an ear bump associated with each pocket in the star wheel and a releasable container hold down to prevent containers in the star wheel pockets from tilting while they are being oriented.