More than likely we’ve all come across the ‘Greek key’, also known as the ‘meander’ (a repeating geometric motif), at some time or another.

During 18th century Europe, along with the rejuvenated enthusiasm for all things Greek; came the Greek Key symbol, a sign of Greek style and taste; a sophisticated, decorative pattern which adorned just about anything.

Today, along with another popular ancient Greek pattern, the acanthus motif, it’s still very much the vogue; the Greek Key motif; usually a decorative border, embellishes jewelry, fabric, carpets, wall-coverings, carpets and magnificent buildings.

A guest bathroom by Briana Nix with Phillip Jeffries. It’s Greek to me wallpaper. Photo by David Nix

 What is the meander or Greek Key?

The meander or meandros (Greek: Μαίανδρος), or Greek Key, is a decorative border created from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif, much used in Greek and Roman art.

The word meander, in Greek, meaning to take an indirect path, derives from the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey); the 250-mile-long River, which Homer mentions in “The Iliad.”

The Meander River Turkey. Courtesy of the book East to West, Indirectly, Along a Turkish River by Jeremy Seal

In its simplest form, the Greek key is a band of short horizontal and vertical lines, connected at right angles and at its most intricate it can form labyrinths and interlocking key patterns.

Many think, that when looking only at a small, solitary piece of the pattern, it resembles a simple, traditional key, hence the name Greek Key.

Ancient Greek Key Pattern

According to “Psychology Today”; a media organization and magazine, featuring a wide variety of psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists and science journalists, recent finds show the Greek Key was not only a decorative pattern.

It was also a sort of strong hand clasp, used in ancient Greek gymnastics, wrestling and the pankration, a Greek form of martial art, as well as in battle.

Meander – the Chiron handle – the handle of the God-fighters!

Source: Greek Key - Meander - Origins and Meanings - Greeker than the Greeks