Vesica Piscis: Sacred Symbolism in Christian Art and Gothic Architecture

The vesica piscis is a pointed oval shape resembling a fish’s bladder, often called a mandorla. This form holds significant symbolism in Christian art and architecture, where it frequently serves as an aureole—a radiant framing device around sacred figures like Christ or the Virgin Mary with the Child.

Its association with Christian symbolism is deeply rooted in the early Christian iconography of the fish, an emblem of Christ and the faithful. Due to this connection, the vesica piscis became a recurrent motif in Gothic architecture, seen in the decorative panels of churches, stained glass windows, and sculptures. It also appears extensively on medieval ecclesiastical seals, where it frames religious figures or heraldic symbols, reinforcing its role as a sacred form conveying sanctity and divine protection.