Quatrefoil

Quatrefoil

The word "quatrefoil" etymologically means "four leaves", and applies to general four-lobed shapes in various contexts.

In heraldry

In heraldic terminology, a quatrefoil is a representation of a flower with four petals, or a leaf with four leaflets (such as a four-leaf clover). It is sometimes shown "slipped", i.e. with an attached stalk. However, it is not defined as a flower, but called a "foil".

In architecture/symbolism

In architecture and traditional Christian symbolism, a quatrefoil is a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter. Two common types of quatrefoil are shown in the first two images below (click on the images for larger illustrations, and explanation of the geometry involved):

The quatrefoil enjoyed its peak popularity during the Gothic Revival and Renaissance, but can still be seen on countless churches and cathedrals today. It is most commonly found as tracery, mainly in Gothic architecture, where a quatrefoil can often be seen at the top of a Gothic arch, sometimes with stained glass on the interior.

In art, the quatrefoil is a type of decorative framework (mainly used in engraving), consisting of an architectural quatrefoil combined with a square (just as the trefoil is often combined with an equilateral triangle), as seen in the image on the right above. Among the most famous works of art employing the quatrefoil are the bronze panels on the South Doors of the Baptistery in Florence by Andrea Pisano, the bronze panels of the North Doors of the Baptistery in Florence by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and also Filippo Brunelleschi's famous competition entry for the same doors, "The Sacrifice of Isaac") as well as "Head of an Angel" by Piero della Francesca.

Military

The word quatrefoil can also refer to a four-pointed decoration on the top of a warrant or commissioned Marine officer's dress and service caps. Tradition tells that the design was first used on sailing ships so that Marine sharpshooters in the rigging did not shoot their own officers on the deck.

orority

The quatrefoil is also the national symbol of the women's fraternity Phi Mu (a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.)

Four-leaf clover

The four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck.

ee also

*Trefoil

References

*The Artist Blacksmith, Volume 5, Number 4. www.Artist-Blacksmith.org.
*The Artist Blacksmith, Volume 6, Number 1, 2 & 3.
*The Hammers Blow, Volume 6, Number 4.

External links

* [http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/ashp/brunelleschi_ghiberti.html Pictures of Ghiberti's and Brunelleschi's quatrefoils]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • quatrefoil — ► NOUN ▪ an ornamental design of four lobes or leaves, resembling a flower or clover leaf. ORIGIN from Old French quatre four + foil leaf …   English terms dictionary

  • quatrefoil — [kat′ər foil΄, ka′trəfoil΄] n. [ME quaterfoyle < MFr quatrefeuille < quatre (< L quattuor,FOUR) + feuille (< L folium, leaf: see FOIL2)] 1. a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets 2. Archit. a circular design made up of …   English World dictionary

  • Quatrefoil —    A quatrefoil is an ornamental shape with four lobes, common to Gothic architectural or sculptural decoration. In the Renaissance, the quatrefoil design persisted in some regions until the 15th century. In Venice, the Doge s Palace (1340 1438)… …   Dictionary of Renaissance art

  • Quatrefoil — Quatrefeuille Qua tre*feuille, Quatrefoil Qua tre*foil, n. [F. quatre feuilles.] Same as {Quarterfoil}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • quatrefoil — noun Etymology: Middle English quaterfoil set of four leaves, from Anglo French quatre + Middle English foil (as in trefoil) Date: 15th century 1. a conventionalized representation of a flower with four petals or of a leaf with four leaflets 2. a …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • quatrefoil — quatrefoiled, adj. /kat euhr foyl , ka treuh /, n. 1. a leaf composed of four leaflets. 2. Archit. a panellike ornament composed of four lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center. [1375 1425; ME < MF quatre four + foil (as in… …   Universalium

  • quatrefoil — noun a) a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. b) A stylized flower or leaf with four lobes …   Wiktionary

  • Quatrefoil — Her. A *charge in the form of four leaves attached to a central point, somewhat like a four leafed clover …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • quatrefoil —  In architecture, a four pointed tracery …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • quatrefoil — quat·re·foil || kætrÉ™fɔɪl n. leaf with four leaflets; leaf like ornament with four lobes (Architecture) …   English contemporary dictionary

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