The zigzag is another straight-lined form largely used as ornament; it was used by the Egyptians and Early Greeks as the symbol of water (Figs. [28], [165]).
Lozenges and diamonds are other elements of straight-lined ornament, and form the basis of many repeating patterns in woven stuffs, paper-hangings, and tiles. Triangles, squares, hexagons, octagons,
Figs. 12 to 14.—Greek frets.
Fig. 15—Fret and panel border, Greek.
and other polygons are also used largely as constructive bases in pattern-designing.
After the straight line, the curved is the other element in ornament. It is pre-eminently the type of grace, and the “line of beauty.” Whether seen in the outline of the cloud, the wave, or the rounded limb of the human figure, the eye takes a delight in