What does the Greek key design symbolize?
The Greek key design symbolizes infinity or the eternal flow of life. It can also represent waves, the four compass points, the four seasons and snakes. The design was named "meander" after the twisting and turning of the Meander river in present-day Turkey. It was the most important symbol utilized in Ancient Greece.
What is the Greek key pattern?
The ‘Greek key’, also known as the ‘meander’, is a repeating geometric motif that has been used across buildings, decorative arts, jewelry and even clothes for centuries. The pattern can be found in a variety of forms.
What is a Greek key in textiles?
The Greek Key is a common motif in textile design and many other places where decorative elements are necessary. Whether or not you know the name, you have most likely seen a Greek Key design. In fact, it may even be in your home. Often used as a border, it is also used frequently in stripes.
What is a Greek key in glass?
By Ali Glass. The Greek Key is most commonly used as a decorative border. Its appearance in architecture and landscape dates back to ancient history. The design itself is constructed of various lines shaped into a repeated motif, which resembles a key.
What does the Greek key design mean?
What does The Greek Key Motif symbolize? Greek Key or Meander Pattern. In Ancient Greece, the unbroken, interlocking pattern of the Meander (Meandros), or Greek Key, was one of the most important symbols; it symbolized infinity, unity and the eternal flow of life through reproduction.
What is the Greek key pattern called?
The Greek key pattern, also referred to as a “meander” or even Greek "fret", is a continuous line that folds back on itself replicating the Maeander River which is located in Turkey. The motif is found abundantly in architecture and decorative arts from the Greek Empire.
What designer uses the Greek key?
VersaceIn today's style scene, Versace is the (Greek) keyholder of this timeless print, a trademark iconography for the Italian fashion house.
Why is it called Greek key?
It has been called a Greek key because an individual section vaguely resembles a primitive key. The labeling of it as a meander results from its continuous back and forth progression, recalling the winding course of the Meander River in Asia Minor, now present-day Turkey.
What is the meaning of Greek pattern?
For the people of Ancient Greece, Meander (or Meandros) was thought to symbolize eternity and the undulating flow of human life through reproduction. The unbroken, interlocking pattern turned it into a symbol of both unity and infinity, whereupon it became one of the most important symbols in Ancient Greece.
Who invented the Greek key?
The Greeks are said to have invented the keyhole, while the Romans refined it. Angled bronze key from the Artemis Hemera temple in Lusoi, Arcadia. The inscription confirms that it is a temple key. Length 40.5 cm.
What is Versace pattern called?
A meander or meandros (Greek: Μαίανδρος) is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif.
How do you draw Greek patterns?
5:5517:50Greek Pottery - Drawing with Symmetry and Patterns - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd skinnier we start at the top with a trapezoid shape again but that trapezoid is way tall. So i'mMoreAnd skinnier we start at the top with a trapezoid shape again but that trapezoid is way tall. So i'm going to start way at the top make a nice wide. Line. And then probably around the middle of my.
Why does Versace use the Medusa?
The Versace logo is the head of Medusa, a Greek mythological figure. The logo came from the floor of ruins in the area of Reggio Calabria that the Versace siblings played in as children. Gianni Versace chose Medusa as the logo because she made people fall in love with her and they had no way back.
What is a Greek key necklace?
The Meander (aka "greek key") symbolizes the eternal flow of things. It is the symbol of eternal life, eternal love and eternal friendship. The necklace can be made in any desired length (shorter or longer). It comes with a written authenticity guarantee in a beautiful jewelry gift box.
What symbolizes Greek patterns on vases?
The designs on the vases would often depict scenes from well known Greek stories about their gods and goddesses, heroes, battles and even athletes. Many also included animals like horses, sea creatures like dolphins, or even mythological monsters.
What does Greek key tattoo mean?
Meaning and Symbolism of the Greek Key In ancient Greece, the Greek Key was a symbol for 'infinity' and the 'eternal flow of things'. This is an obvious association, due to the pattern's unbroken, continuous style. Today, the Greek Key is known to symbolize 'eternity' and 'unity' because of the continuous line pattern.
What does Greek key tattoo mean?
Meaning and Symbolism of the Greek Key In ancient Greece, the Greek Key was a symbol for 'infinity' and the 'eternal flow of things'. This is an obvious association, due to the pattern's unbroken, continuous style. Today, the Greek Key is known to symbolize 'eternity' and 'unity' because of the continuous line pattern.
How do you draw Greek patterns?
5:5517:50Greek Pottery - Drawing with Symmetry and Patterns - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd skinnier we start at the top with a trapezoid shape again but that trapezoid is way tall. So i'mMoreAnd skinnier we start at the top with a trapezoid shape again but that trapezoid is way tall. So i'm going to start way at the top make a nice wide. Line. And then probably around the middle of my.
What is a Greek wave?
: a curvilinear variant of the Greek fret.
What symbolizes Greek patterns on vases?
The designs on the vases would often depict scenes from well known Greek stories about their gods and goddesses, heroes, battles and even athletes. Many also included animals like horses, sea creatures like dolphins, or even mythological monsters.
What is the Greek key used for?
In any case, the Greek key version of a meander is used extensively on vases, sculptures, architecture and on bronze shields from ancient Greece. Most ancient Greek temples incorporated this design as a illustration of the concepts of infinity and unity.
Where did the Greek key originate?
As the name indicates, the origin of this ornamental pattern lies in ancient Greece, where many architectural friezes and pottery vases feature bands of this regular geometric design. The essence of the Greek key is an interlocking rectangular pattern constructed from one continuous line. Most often used as a border or band, this type of style is sometimes known as a “meander”, given the way the lines twist and turn.
When did Greek key patterns come into vogue?
Greek key patterns came into vogue in the United States as an important element of Neoclassical architecture during the late 18th and early 19th century.
What is the motif that pops up in everything from tile to textiles?
One classic architectural image that seems to be popping up in everything from tile to textiles is the time-honored Greek key motif.
What is a Greek key?
The Greek Key is a common motif in textile design and many other places where decorative elements are necessary. Whether or not you know the name, you have most likely seen a Greek Key design. In fact, it may even be in your home. Often used as a border, it is also used frequently in stripes.
Why use Greek keys?
The Greek Key as a motif continues to stand the test of time. Interior designers still use this pattern when they want something decorative but still simple. It adds an element of architectural interest to a room and is usable at nearly any scale.
How did this ancient design go mainstream?
People were looking toward ancient Greece with nostalgia and revering it as the epicenter of Western civilization and culture. Designers saw architects in ancient Greece using a Greek Key design often in its buildings and decorative elements on items such as ceramics and pottery.
What did designers use in ancient Greece?
Designers saw architects in ancient Greece using a Greek Key design often in its buildings and decorative elements on items such as ceramics and pottery. Inspired by these forms, designers began to incorporate these elements from architecture into textile designs.
What is fretwork design?
Many designs fall under the category of fretwork. What they have in common are designs made with short lines at right angles. They never meet or seal off and visually create a square or grid. These repeating and nesting lines are reminiscent of a labyrinth.
What is the Greek key design?
What Is the Symbolism of the Greek Key Design? The Greek key design symbolizes infinity or the eternal flow of life. It can also represent waves, the four compass points, the four seasons and snakes. The design was named "meander" after the twisting and turning of the Meander river in present-day Turkey.
What does the Greek key mean in jewelry?
Jewelry designers see the Greek key as representing the eternal bonds of friendship and love. Tattoo artists use it to signify a journey that has no particular destination planned.
Where did the Greek key originate?
Some historians believe that the Greek key symbol originated in the myth of the labyrinth, a garden maze formed by rectilinear paths separated by tall hedge-like vegetation . It has most notably been associated with the legend of Jason, a seafarer who led a band of adventurous heroes known as "the Argonauts.".
What is the shape of the Greek symbol?
The shape of the symbol — both angled and rounded — has been used as a decorative motif in architecture, in mosaic tiles and to encircle stone columns. Temples were widely decorated using the meander design, and it is common in Greek and Roman art.
What is the Greek key?
The Greek Key is also called Meandros or the Hellenic Key after the Meander River which was twisty and doubled onto itself, giving a symbolic meaning to the key of the eternal flow of life. Many ancient Greek temples incorporated the sign of the meander. During the medieval period, the key form was used primarily due to their interest in labyrinths.
Where did the Greek key originate?
The Greek Key design has its origins in ancient Greece and is their most important symbol. The Greek Key is also called Meandros or the Hellenic Key after the Meander River which was twisty and doubled onto itself, ...
What does the key mean in medieval times?
The Meander or Greek Key symbolizes infinity and unity. It is the symbol of eternal life, eternal love and eternal friendship and that is the reason it’s often given as marriage gifts.
What is the Greek key pattern?
Decorating with the Greek Key pattern. By Ali Glass. The Greek Key is most commonly used as a decorative border. Its appearance in architecture and landscape dates back to ancient history. The design itself is constructed of various lines shaped into a repeated motif, which resembles a key.
Where to put Greek keys in a home?
A more subtle and simple way to incorporate the Greek key into your home is on the border of your carpet, shown above in the stair runner . The use of the Greek Key in your interior space doesn’t have to stop there however; plenty of decorative items in your home can be adorned with this border.
What does the Greek key mean on a pillow?
Whether centralized, used on a border, or used throughout the entire design of the pillow the Greek Key can add a nod to ancient history within your home. The presence of the Greek Key has become a very popular within the home as it symbolizes infinity and an eternal flow.
What is the meaning of the Greek key?
Homer mentions the river in “The Iliad,” and it is believed that the meander motif symbolizes infinity or the eternal flow of things. (In fact, the word “meander” is derived from the 250-mile-long snaking Maeander, known today as the Menderes, which flows through southwestern Turkey.) What is most astonishing about the meander motif is that it is found in the architecture, sculpture and decorative arts of many early civilizations — civilizations that could not possibly have known or seen one another’s artifacts. It seems that those cultures, independent of one another, created their own version of the motif.
Who used the Greek key?
But it’s the Greeks who used the motif with abandon, hence the reason we most commonly refer to it as the Greek key. The Romans then copied it, and by the 18th century, all of Europe had adapted it into their design vocabulary. For our own history, the motif has been celebrated in many design periods, including Empire and Hollywood Regency.
Can you find Greek keys in any scale?
You can find items with just about any scale of Greek key. The key can be blown up to a single large bracket so that the design takes on a super graphic quality, or the motif can be miniaturized and densely repeated so that the keys are less noticeable. When it comes to color, there are no rules.
Did the Greeks use color?
And one thing to note: The Greeks themselves used color freely; all those white temples were actually heavily decorated with color and gilding. So take it from the Greeks — their color and their key. Mayhew, a “Today” show style expert and former magazine editor, is the author of “Flip! for Decorating.”.
What does the Greek key mean?
The Greek key has been connected to various meanings, and some claim that the key is meant to symbolize a maze or labyrinth. This interpretation is connected to a myth where Theseus fought a Minotaur in a labyrinth.
What is the most common form of Greek keys?
The most common form of the Greek keys appears in a standard, square-like pattern, although other patterns do exist. People may claim that they are related to the waves of the sea because a more wave-like pattern was found on the same shield used by Alexander the Great's father, Philip.
What does the key frieze represent?
Other interpretations vary, however. Some have suggested that the key is meant to symbolize waves or snakes. The keys could also symbolize the bonds of love or friendship as well as the concept ...
