meander tattooChinese line art
A meander, also called a Greek key, is a continuous line folded into a repeating right-angled spiral. It is a border motif rather than a picture: its role is to frame a main subject or to fill a narrow strip of skin with structure that reads as pattern rather than noise.
Size guide
Single key unit: 1–2 cm. Border band: 1.5–2.5 cm tall running the length of a forearm. Wrist ring: 1–1.5 cm.
What is a Greek key tattoo good for?
It is good for filling narrow bands of skin where a figurative design would not fit: around the wrist or ankle, along the forearm, or as a border above or below a main piece. Because it is repeating and directionless, it also works as a background texture that does not compete with a focal design.
Is a meander the same as a Greek key?
Yes, they are two names for the same motif, from different traditions: meander from Greek pottery decoration and Greek key from the architectural and modern-design use of the same repeating line. The pattern is essentially identical in both cases.
Frequently asked questions
Where to place a meander tattoo
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