Artistic representation of three circular leaf shapes used in architecture
A
trefoil
(from
Latin
trifolium
'three-leaved plant') is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings, used in
architecture
, Pagan and
Christian symbolism
, among other areas. The term is also applied to other symbols with a threefold shape. A similar shape with four rings is called a
quatrefoil
.
Architecture
[
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]
Ornamentation
[
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]
'Trefoil' is a term in
Gothic architecture
given to the ornamental foliation or cusping introduced in the heads of window-lights,
tracery
, and panellings, in which the centre takes the form of a three-lobed
leaf
(formed from three partially overlapping circles). One of the earliest examples is in the plate tracery at
Winchester Cathedral
(1222?1235). The fourfold version of an architectural trefoil is a
quatrefoil
.
A simple trefoil shape in itself can be symbolic of the
Trinity
,
[1]
while a trefoil combined with an equilateral triangle was also a moderately common symbol of the Christian Trinity during the
late Middle Ages
in some parts of Europe, similar to a
barbed quatrefoil
. Two forms of a trefoil combined with a triangle are shown below:
A
dove
, which symbolizes the
Holy Spirit
, is sometimes depicted within the outlined form of the trefoil combined with a triangle.
Architectural layout
[
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]
In architecture and archaeology, a 'trefoil' describes a layout or
floor plan
consisting of three
apses
in clover-leaf shape, as for example in the
Megalithic temples of Malta
.
Particularly in church architecture, such a layout may be called a "triconchos".
-
Evolution of layout of Maltese Megalithic temples;
Skorba
(upper right) has a typical trefoil plan
-
A typical triconchos
Heraldry
[
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]
The
heraldic
'trefoil' is a stylized
clover
. It should not be confused with the figure named in French heraldry
tiercefeuille
("threefoil"), which is a stylized flower with three petals, and differs from the heraldic trefoil in being not slipped.
[2]
[a]
Symbols
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]
Symmetrical trefoils are particularly popular as warning and informational symbols. If a box containing hazardous material is moved around and shifted into different positions, it is still easy to recognize the symbol,
[5]
while the distinctive trefoil design of the
recycling symbol
makes it easy for a consumer to notice and identify the packaging the symbol has been printed on as recyclable. Easily stenciled symbols are also favored.
-
-
-
-
-
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One particular stylized form of the heraldic trefoil is used as the main element in the logo of most
Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting
organizations. For Girl Scouts, the three trefoil leaves represent the three-fold promise: "To serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout law."
While the green trefoil is considered by many to be the symbol of Ireland, the harp has much greater officially recognized status. Therefore, shamrocks generally do not appear on Irish coins or postage stamps.
A trefoil is also part of the logo for
Adidas Originals
, which also includes three stripes.
See also
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]
Notes
[
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]
- ^
The French terms '
quartefeuille
' and '
quintefeuille
' are translated as 'quatrefoils' and 'cinquefoils'.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Our Christian Symbols
by Friedrich Rest (
ISBN
0-8298-0099-9
), p. 17
- ^
"Online Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms - Symbol 24:51"
. Symbols.com. 1997?2006
. Retrieved
5 January
2010
.
- ^
Krle?a, Miroslav
(1933). "Kraljevska ugarska domobranska novela".
Croatian God Mars
(1 ed.). Zagreb: Minerva. p. 130.
ISBN
9788601013537
.
U stara mirna vremena, kada je koji general dr?ao smotru, pa se na cvjetnoj tratini skupili bataljoni zdravih ?eta u kalpacima i dolamama u paradi, svi oki?eni trolistom hrastovim, svi ula?teni i izgla?ani, a trube udaraju i glazbe tresu zrakom, te tutnji kavalkada sa crvenim svilenim ruhom generaliteta i zelenim perjanicama, onda je bilo i neke inspiracije u tim pu?kohvatima. Svi stari soldati gledali su romanti?no na paradni osamnaesti augusta koji je po?eo s topni?kim salvama, a svr?avao s lampionadom.
- ^
"History of 15./Jg 52"
. Archived from
the original
on 7 July 2011
. Retrieved
22 April
2011
.
- ^
"Committee on Microbiological Safety - HMS"
.
www.hms.harvard.edu
. Archived from
the original
on 16 July 2011
. Retrieved
2 April
2018
.
External links
[
edit
]
Look up
trefoil
in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.