bianna.blogg.se - Meander river ancient greece

The pattern was often used as a border design around cameos, rings, and bracelets. During the late Georgian period, it was commonly incorporated into jewelry designs. The meander symbol has been used in jewelry and fashion for centuries. But he eventually decided to end the human sacrifices to the monster with the help of Theseus. According to the myth, King Minos of Crete imprisoned his enemies in the labyrinth so that the Minotaur could kill them. In Greek mythology, Theseus, a Greek hero fought Minotaur, a half man, half bull creature in a labyrinth. It is said that the symbol opens “the way” to the eternal return.

The Key of Life and Ideogram for the Labyrinth – Some historians believe that the meander symbol has a strong connection with the labyrinth, since it can be drawn with a Greek key pattern.

Bond of Friendship, Love, and Devotion – Since it’s a sign of continuation, the meander symbol is often associated with friendship, love, and devotion that never ends.

The symbolism persisted into the Roman times when meander patterns were used on mosaic floors in bathhouses.

Water or Constant Movement of Life – Its long continuous line that repeatedly folds back on itself, resembling squared waves, made a strong connection with the symbol of water.

Infinity or Eternal Flow of Things – The meander symbol is named after the 250-mile-long Meander River, which Homer mentions in “The Iliad.” Its unbroken, interlocking pattern made it a symbol for infinity or the eternal flow of things.

Here’s what it was believed to represent: The ancient Greece associated the meander symbol with mythology, moral virtues, love, and aspects of life. Meaning and Symbolism of the Meander Symbol The meander symbol signified Greek style and taste and was used as a decorative motif.Īlthough the meander pattern has been used in various cultures, it’s closely associated with the Greeks due to their excessive use of the pattern. Peter’s Basilica.ĭuring the 18th century, the meander symbol became highly popular in artwork and architecture in Europe, due to the renewed interest in classical Greece. The Romans incorporated the meander symbol into their architecture, including the colossal Temple of Jupiter-and later to the St. An ivory ceremonial shield with a complex Greek key pattern was one of the numerous artifacts found in his tomb. In 1977, archeologists found the meander symbol on the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.

It was also discovered on Mayan carvings and ancient Chinese sculptures. It was a favorite decorative motif during and after the 4th dynasty in Egypt, decorating the temples and tombs. The meander symbol can also be traced back to many early civilizations, including Mayan, Etruscan, Egyptian, Byzantine, and ancient Chinese. In fact, the oldest found examples are ornaments from Mezin (Ukraine) that date back to about 23,000 B.C. The symbol pre-dates the Hellene period, as it was used abundantly in decorative arts back in Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. It is similar to squared waves, featuring straight lines connected and at right angles to each other in T, L, or cornered G shapes. It is one of the most used patterns throughout human history, but where does it come from and what does it symbolize? History of the Meander Symbol (Greek key)Īlso referred to as a “Greek fret” or “Greek key pattern,” the meander symbol was named after the Meander River in present-day Turkey, mimicking its many twists and turns. One of the most common elements in Greek and Roman art, the meander symbol is a linear geometric pattern commonly used as a decorative band on pottery, mosaic floors, sculptures, and buildings. Meaning and Symbolism of the Meander Symbol.

History of the Meander Symbol (Greek key).