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The thread pattern on road going motor vehicle tyres are designed to force water to the sides away from the tyre to ensure grip and traction in wet weather.
I think it's the same for most bicycle tyres. Would be quite useful for muddy cx in particular.
Ofcourse a perfectly symmetrical file thread is non-directional though.
drøn
Front tyre on backwards is common in disciplines like cyclocross. The argument being that if (big if) the tyre tread is directional to get better grip for the read wheel to push the bike forwards, you want it in the opposite direction on the front to aid braking.
The counter view is that tyres are non-directional and it doesn't matter but have drive direction arrows on them to stop people going back to the bike shop or contacting the manufacturer to ask which way round they go.