So many times we see things and we never get to think about the origin. Because these elements may seem so simple and natural to us that we could never imagine there could be a deeper meaning behind. In Classical Architecture, one of the most recognizable decorative elements is the good old Greek Key Frieze, which we can see anywhere in every material and decorating different types of architectural features.
Well, there are two very nice versions of the origin of this frieze. One is a lot more technical, logical and boring; and the other one is mysterious, rather mythological than logical and actually very fun. You choose which one you’d like to keep in your own story telling department.
Let’s start by the “normal” one: The frieze is a geometric representation of the Meander River, located in the present-day Turkey and known to the ancient Greeks as Maiandros.
The really interesting one goes like this: Take a segment of the frieze and project a rotation of 360 degrees. During the rotation, leave a couple of keys on the way, may be 3, on different spots of the separated paths that the displacement will generate. The result will be a circular maze and it represents
the mythical maze where Theseus fought and defeated the Minotaurus.
Yes, so many times we have keys in front of our eyes and we don’t see them!…Watch out, be perceptive and you may find one that leads to another time’s important information…be it the past or the future!
Enjoy your surroundings!
The Weylin Team