Meander is a geometric ornament consisting of a continuous curved or broken line at right angles. It looks like a border or a grid of motifs formed by a line broken at right angles. It is also called an endless labyrinth. Decorative element meander was already known in Neolithic cultures and was widespread in the territories of modern China and Mexico, but it gained particular popularity in Ancient Greece. The Greeks widely used various versions of this decorative element – they ‘looped’ the edges and rims of amphorae, dishes and shields, decorated buildings, clothing and household items. This ornament also had a magical meaning – it symbolised the winding course of human life, which, despite all its unexpected twists and turns, still moves in a certain direction, and that direction is the pursuit of virtue.

The meander also symbolises eternity, the endless renewal of life, and the constant change of generations. It was the main, and sometimes the only, decorative element on vases, covering the vessels with a continuous carpet of strict, rhythmic patterns.

The name of the ornament comes from the Meander River (now Büyük Menderes in Anatolia (the contemporary Turkey), which was famous for its winding, meandering banks. This may have been linked to the idea that life, like a river, is full of surprises and twists and turns, and each bend is a new opportunity for growth and transformation. The river's whimsical bends became a natural metaphor for this decorative pattern. Simple at first glance, the meander is based on strict principles that make it so expressive and universal:

• Continuous line. The fundamental principle of the pattern is that it consists of a single line that has no visible beginning or end, constantly turning and continuing itself.

• Geometricity. This is a classic example of a geometric ornament with no references to natural or foliage forms. The classic meander always consists of straight lines and 90-degree angles, giving it a strict and orderly appearance.

• Association with Greece. Although this ornament is found in different cultures, it was in the art of Ancient Greece that it reached its peak and became its true ‘calling card.’

However, the oldest ornament of this type was found at the Palaeolithic Mezin Site on the right bank of the Desna River. It was carved on a bracelet made from mammoth tusk around 23,000 BC. This proves that the idea of a continuous geometric pattern is one of the oldest visual archetypes in human culture.

Over the centuries, the meander pattern spread beyond Greek temples and vases, finding new life in the art of the Roman Empire and later in the East. The Romans inherited the meander from the Greeks and actively used it in mosaics, architectural decoration and on fabrics. Later, during the Classicism and Empire periods, interest in antiquity revived the fashion for the meander, and it once again became a popular decorative element. In Buddhism, the meander became a symbol of reincarnation, with the lines of the ornament intersecting to form another ancient symbol within the meander – the swastika, which serves as a sign of eternity and the immutability of the Sun. After all, no matter how you turn it, the sign will not change. It is also a symbol of the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, abundance, generosity, light and life.
The meander is so perfect in its simplicity that it proves the incredible genius of its creators, and it is difficult to find a pattern that has been reproduced as often as this iconic symbol of antiquity.

The meander is more than just a decoration (decorative element). It is a universal symbol that has survived for millennia. From the winding river in Anatolia to the friezes of the Parthenon and modern interiors, it continues to convey the idea of eternal motion, order and the inseparable connection between times.

On the cover: Glass with Cyrillic monogram "ГА" beneath the grand ducal crown. Russian Empire. Second half of the 19^th century

 On the illustration: Oval salt cellar. Carl Fabergé firm. Russian Empire, Moscow. 1899-1908; Glass. Russian Empire. 1872