The Chevron Pattern – a Popular Motif for Designers 🔰

Ancient History

The chevron, seen on pottery and petrographs all over the ancient globe, is one of the oldest symbols in human history, with V-shaped markings dating back to the Neolithic age (6th to 5th millennia BC) as part of the Vinca symbols catalogue.

Interestingly, the Inca civilization, responsible for the markings, appears to have used the chevron as part of a more comprehensive proto-writing system rather than just for heraldic or decorative purposes. Unfortunately, no later cultures are known to have adopted this symbol.

Archaeologists found many new samples from around 1800 BC during a dig at the Palace of Knossos in modern-day Crete, Greece. Sparta used a big “lambda” symbol on their shields. The Kingdom of Kerma in Nubia made pottery with simple geometric designs like chevrons.

Chevron Pattern a Valuable Design Motif

Chevron has been growing in popularity for years and shows no signs of slowing down. As a pattern, it is a repeating V-shaped stripe found in everything from pillows to runway outfits to wallpaper.

Iconic Form in Heraldry

The iconic chevron form elongates into a multi-purpose design tool as a stripe, putting a twist on the basic zigzag pattern. Badges and emblems often feature single chevrons, but repeating them creates the pattern.
A chevron is a simple shape often seen in family crests or coats of arms. It’s an angled line, and the artist can choose any angle. This symbol can be changed in many ways. For example, if it has zig-zag ends, it’s called “éclaté.” A smaller version is known as a “chevronel.”

Chevrons first emerged in heraldry throughout the Middle Ages, particularly in Normandy. In Scandinavia, the chevron is known as a sparre, and an early form may be found in Armand Desmondly’s arms.

Chevron Pattern Motif for Surface Decoration

The symmetrical V shape of a chevron can look like an equilateral or isosceles triangle with one side missing. It’s a popular design element that can be repeated, bordered, woven together, or arranged in a repeating pattern.

Chevron Pattern Significance

The chevron pattern comes from the French word chevron, which means rafter or gable. Although no definition exists to prevent freedom in its shape, the chevron’s angle is most commonly between 60 and 70 degrees. 

Because of its ease of marking and application to material, the chevron has been used to denote ownership and rank since the Middle Ages, when house and possessions marks became widespread. Its military significance on uniforms is almost certainly a result of its early use.

It portrays a mountain in profile and is common in Japanese heraldry.

This icon shape adds a sense of rhythm and colour to your room without becoming overpowering. It’s laid-back and welcoming but not overly so.

Source

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, July 2). Chevron (insignia). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:19, July 21, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chevron_(insignia)&oldid=1031664464

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