A trefoil () is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings, used in

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...

Pagan Paganism (, later 'civilian') is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Christianity, Judaism, and Samaritanism. In the time of the ...

and

Christian symbolism Christian symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork or events, by Christianity. It invests objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian ideas. The symbolism of the early Church was characterized by be ...

, 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 A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil) 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 ...

Architecture

Ornamentation

'Trefoil' is a term in

Gothic architecture Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...

given to the ornamental foliation or cusping introduced in the heads of window-lights,

tracery Tracery is an architectural device by which windows (or screens, panels, and vaults) are divided into sections of various proportions by stone ''bars'' or ''ribs'' of moulding. Most commonly, it refers to the stonework elements that support th ...

, and panellings, in which the centre takes the form of a three-lobed

leaf A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the plant stem, stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leav ...

(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

. A simple trefoil shape in itself can be symbolic of the Trinity, 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 quatrefoil#Barbed quatrefoil, barbed quatrefoil. Two forms of a trefoil combined with a triangle are shown below: File:Trefoil-Architectural-Equilateral-Triangle-outlined.svg, alt=The outline of three interlocking circles with an equilateral triangle in the centre., Outlined File:Trefoil-Architectural-Equilateral-Triangle-interlaced.svg, alt=Three interlocking circles with a triangle in the centre, the full, interlocking lines of each now shown., Interlaced A Doves as symbols#Christianity, dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit in Christianity, Holy Spirit, is sometimes depicted within the outlined form of the trefoil combined with a triangle.

Architectural layout

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". File:Evolution du plan des temples copie.jpg, alt=A diagram of six examples of evolving temple floor plans, evolving clockwise, labelled ("temple typology"). The floor plans evolve from small, simple rooms to much larger and more elaborate constructions., Evolution of layout of Maltese Megalithic temples; Skorba Temples, Skorba (upper right) has a typical trefoil plan File:Trikonchos.gif, alt=A triconchos floor plan, showing a wall with a door on the left side and three trefoil-like alcoves on the right., A typical triconchos

Heraldry

The heraldry, heraldic 'trefoil' is a stylized clover. It should not be confused with the figure named in French heraldry ("threefoil"), which is a stylized flower with three petals, and differs from the heraldic trefoil in being not slipped. File:Héraldique meuble trèfle 1.svg, Trefoil in heraldry File:Blason famille fr Duprat.svg, ''Or a fess sable between three trefoils vert'' File:Blason ville fr Boissy-sans-Avoir (Yvelines).svg, ''Gules a cross flory argent between four tiercefeuilles Or'' File:16. varaždinska.jpg, Croatian trefoil badge worn by Royal Croatian Home Guard during Austria-Hungary, depicting oak leaves File:CroatianTrefoil.svg, Croatian trefoil used by the Axis Powers, Axis-sympathetic Croatian Air Force Legion in World War II, formed from a defaced ''Balkenkreuz''

Symbols

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, 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. File:Radiation warning symbol.svg, Hazard symbol#Ionizing radiation symbol, Ionizing radiation hazard trefoil File:Fallout shelter symbol.svg, Fallout shelter trefoil File:Biohazard symbol.svg, Hazard symbol#Biohazard sign, Biological hazard trefoil File:Recycle001.svg, Universal recycling symbol File:Pictogram_VORTAC.svg, VHF_omnidirectional_range, VORTAC Aircraft Navigation Beacon File:WikiProject Scouting trefoil fade.svg, 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.

Explanatory notes

References

External links

{{Wiktionary, trefoil
Explanation of Christian symbolism of Trefoil
Christian symbols Heraldic charges Ornaments Piecewise-circular curves Symbols Visual motifs