Acanthus is a plant that always attracted artisans’ and architectures’ interest in every period of history by its barbed and curved leaf aspect.
Acanthus typically used in architecture due to its aesthetic appearance and this distinctive aspect of its leaves. Acanthus ornaments – used to protect buildings from evilness and bad luck – also served to beliefs in this sense. Leaves of the Acanthus plant were used first in the Hellenistic Era; curves of the leaves attached a particular detail to the buildings of that period. Acanthus ornaments especially became the indispensable motifs of column heads used to decorate buildings in the Ancient Rome. On the other hand, as well as the column heads in the Byzantine architecture, it was used widely on architectural components such as frieze, lintel and etc. as an ornamental element in each era starting from the Early Christian Period. Used pretty much in the Gothic architecture, Acanthus played important role in the Renaissance architecture too. This plant – which has never lost its significance in centenaries – continues to elaborate and beautify the surfaces of today’s many buildings and monuments.