arabesque

Interlacing decorative pattern

An arabesque is an ornate decorative design of intertwining flowing lines, typically featuring stylized leaves, flowers, and geometric patterns.

The style originated in Islamic art, where religious prohibitions discouraged figurative representation.

In ballet, an arabesque is a pose where the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended straight behind and arms outstretched: She held the arabesque for several counts.

The term extends to any elaborate, intricately patterned design or flourish.

ballet

pointe

Ballet's tiptoe technique

  • tutuShort projecting dance skirt
  • pliéBallet knee-bending movement
  • adagioSlow musical tempo

ballerina · pirouette · pas de deux · barre · jeté · attitude · en pointe · allegro · danseur · relevé

ornament

flourish

To grow vigorously

embellishment · rococo · baroque · adornment · decoration · acanthus · swirl · lacework · brocade · cartouche

Islamic

mosque

Islamic house of worship

stucco · calligraphy · tessellation · Alhambra · infinite · interlocking · symmetry · repetition · vegetal · biomorphic

gymnastics

floor

Indoor walking surface

scale · balance · leotard · apparatus · routine · mat · chalk · judges · handstand · arch

music

Debussy

French impressionist composer

flourish · ornament · trill · passage · romantic · piano · classical · composition · rubato · lyrical

Categories
Opposites
visual form and line quality

arabesquegeometric pattern

angular design · rectilinear · straight lines · zigzag · chevron

aesthetic complexity

arabesqueminimalism

Aesthetic of reduction

plainness · simplicity · austerity · bare · unadorned

movement quality in dance/ballet

arabesquecrouch

Low bent-knee stance

fetal position · closed position · plié · tucked · curled

Family

arabesques

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Rated G