Ornament may be either Symbolic or Esthetic.
Symbolic ornament consists of elements or forms chosen because they are significant of the purpose of the design.
In [Fig. 22], the ornament is symbolic in its close connection with the message conveyed by the type.
Esthetic ornament consists of forms chosen for their beauty alone. In [Fig. 23], the head-band and initial are pleasing in design and they beautify the page without having the slightest relation to the text of the page.
Esthetic ornament characterizes the periods of design which have had the most important influence in the development of printing: the Greek, Roman, and Renaissance.
Symbolic ornament is found in Egyptian, Assyrian, Byzantine, Scandinavian, Celtic, Persian, Indian, Gothic, Chinese, and Japanese design. For intimate study of these various styles and periods the reader is referred to the various books listed in the bibliography.
Fig. 21. Ornament designed with natural forms.