Panel from the Palace of Westminster 1842 - 1852

This oak panel, part of the Palace of Westminster, was crafted by Augustus Pugin, a champion of the Gothic Revival in the 19th century. The trefoil motif, with its three overlapping circles, is a dominant symbol of the Christian Trinity. But consider its journey through time! From ancient Celtic art, where triple spirals signified continuous movement and spiritual growth, to medieval cathedrals where the trefoil represents the Holy Trinity, this symbol has been repeatedly revived. In Pugin’s hands, it evokes not just religious piety, but also a yearning for the perceived purity and moral clarity of the medieval era. It's a powerful emotional yearning, isn't it? The symbol’s cyclical return speaks to our collective memory. Just as the subconscious mind returns to primal symbols, so too does culture. The trefoil, each time it resurfaces, is imbued with new meanings and new emotional resonance. It reflects our continuous negotiation with the past.