These are often seen on architectural surfaces. Arabesques are linear, and usually employ vine and plant motifs. An ancient, multicultural form, it lends itself easily to an undulating abstract line, as well as signifying nature, the tree of life, or paradise. However, they employed animal rather than plant motifs. This style disappeared from the North with the arrival of Latin Christian cultures and more illusionistic modes.
Interlaced designs weave like a trellis and form geometric, repeating shapes.
The curvilinear arabesque and crystalline interlacement appear closely related or further apart, depending on the artist's intention. While the Arabesque is dirivative of the decorative borders in Classical architecture, interlacement may have stemmed from Roman pavement designs. It builds from a regular figure inscribed in a circle. This cell is then translated and the innate proportions and internal symmetries of the original figure repeat infinitely across the plane. Islamic designs are perhaps the most mathematically sophisticated patterns we know of, and reflect the spiritual life of Islam.