Im really trying to get a firm grasp on the scales. Why are the patterns of the scales out of order with the fretboard?

For example: In the C Major (Ionian) scale, Pattern 1 starts on the 5th fret and then Pattern 4 starts on the Open string E.

Why doesn't Pattern 1 start closest to the nut? Is there a definitive reason why the 1st pattern does not start closest to the nut and then the succeeding patterns in order down the neck of the guitar?

Am I confusing patterns with positions?