Vesica Piscis
/ˈvɛsɪkə ˈpɪskɪs/noun
A lens-shaped figure formed by the intersection of two equal circles, each centered on the other’s circumference.
Did you know?Medieval Christian artists used the Vesica Piscis as the geometric frame surrounding Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints in mandorla-shaped halos.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peisk-
“Fish; the reconstructed root behind several ancient words for fish.”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*piskis
“Fish; an early Italic form descended from the Indo-European root.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
piscis
“Fish.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vesica
“Bladder, sac, or a bladder-shaped swelling.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
vesica piscis
“Literally, “fish bladder,” describing the almond- or lens-shaped intersection of two circles.”
Medieval Europe
Latin
vesica piscis
“A geometric and artistic form used in religious imagery, including the almond-shaped mandorla around sacred figures.”
Modern English
English
vesica piscis
“A term in geometry, sacred geometry, art history, and symbolism for the intersecting-circle figure.”