Trefoil

Architecture

Trefoil (from Latin trifolium, three-leaved plant, French trèfle, German Dreiblatt and Dreiblattbogen) is a term in Gothic architecture given to the ornamental foliation or cusping introduced in the heads of window-lights, tracery, panellings, etc., in which the center 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 (1222 - 1235). The four-fold version of an architectural trefoil is a quatrefoil.

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. Two forms of this are shown below:

Image:Trefoil-Architectural-Equilateral-Triangle-outlined.png|Outlined Image:Trefoil-Architectural-Equilateral-Triangle-interlaced.png|Interlaced

A dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, is sometimes depicted within the outlined form of the trefoil combined with a triangle.

Other meanings

Trefoil is also:

A common name for some kinds of clover, which have three-foiled leaves.
In mathematical knot theory, a trefoil refers to a trefoil knot.
The name of the symbol used to indicate radioactivity.
A cross-sectional arrangement of electrical cables that minimises electrodynamic forces during fault conditions.
A variation of the solitaire card game La Belle Lucie.
The Adidas Trefoil is the logo of Adidas.

Image:Adidas-original.svg|Adidas Trefoil Image:Radioactive.svg|Trefoil sign indicating radioactivity

External links

[Explanation of Christian symbolism of Trefoil]

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