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vesica piscis

[ vuh-sahy-kuh pahy-sis, pis-is; vuh-see-kuh pis-kis, ves-i-kuh ]

noun

, Fine Arts.
  1. an elliptical figure in pointed form, usually one made by the intersection of two arcs and used, especially in early Christian art, as an emblem of Christ.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of vesica piscis1

First recorded in 1800–10, vesica piscis is from New Latin vēsīca piscis literally, “bladder of a fish”

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Example Sentences

A myrtle was also a type, but of the female, because its leaf is a close representation of the vesica piscis.

In this figure the cross is made by the intersection of two ovals, each a vesica piscis, an emblem of the yoni.

In modern Christian art this symbol is called vesica piscis, and is sometimes surrounded with rays.

Thus the following solution that I give to our puzzle involves the pointed "oval," known among architects as the "vesica piscis."

Mandorla, man-dor′la, n. an oval panel, or a work of art filling such: the vesica piscis.

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