Quatrefoil

For other uses, see Quatrefoil (disambiguation).
Two common forms of the quatrefoil, with more overlap (left) and less overlap (right)
Quatrefoil above the west door of Croyland Abbey showing in relief scenes from the life of Saint Guthlac
Quatrefoil window at the St. Petrus parish church in Peterslahr, Germany

A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil)[1] is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture, heraldry and traditional Christian symbolism.[2] The word 'quatrefoil' means "four leaves", from the Latin quattuor, "four", plus folium, "leaf";[3] the term refers specifically to a four-leafed clover, but applies in general to four-lobed shapes in various contexts. In recent years, several luxury brands have attempted to fraudulently assert creative rights related to the symbol, which naturally predates any of those brands' creative development.[4] A similar shape with three rings is called a trefoil, while a shape with five is a cinquefoil.[5]

  1. ^ Pole, Sir William (1791). Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon. London. p. 493. Blazon of arms of Matesford.
  2. ^ Rest, Friedrich (1982). Our Christian Symbols. Pilgrim Press. p. 36. ISBN 0-8298-0099-9.
  3. ^ Cassell's Latin Dictionary
  4. ^ "The Fancy Shape". 99% Invisible. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  5. ^ Cinquefoil – Wiktionary