Nothing new under the Mexican sun

 I  loved Greek ruins- all those unique key designs.... what? They're in Mexico as well?? 
 Yep.  

Meander-Greek Key  

History and Meaning

The meander motif took its name from the river Meander, a river with many twists, mentioned by Homer in  the Iliad. The motif is also known as Greek key or Greek fret.

Meander was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity or the eternal flow of things. Many temples and objects were decorated with this motif, and it is considered that there is a connection with the Cretan labyrinth – indeed - a labyrinth can be drawn using a Greek key.

http://www.culturetaste.com/meander-greek-key-history-and-meaning-66.html

Greek 159-138 BC
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meanders.jpg

That's your history lesson for today. Back to Mexico!

I was here three weeks ago... look at that stone work. 

Looks like a variation on a Greek key to me.  

"The main distinguishing feature of Mitla is the intricate mosaic fretwork and geometric designs that profusely adorn the walls of both the Church and Columns groups. The geometric patterns called grecas in Spanish seen on some of the stone walls and door frames are made from thousands of cut, polished stones that are fitted together without mortar. The pieces were set against a stucco background painted red.The stones are held in place by the weight of the stones that surround them.Walls, friezes and tombs are decorated with mosaic fretwork. In some cases, such as in lintels, these stone “tiles” are embedded directly into the stone beam. The elaborate mosaics are considered to be a type of “Baroque” design as the designs are elaborate and intricate and in some cases cover entire walls. None of the fretwork designs are repeated exactly anywhere in the complex.The fretwork here is unique in all of Mesoamerica."(Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitla

All this proves I'm not an archeologist. But it was thought provoking to see ancient stone work that looks so similar to work done years earlier in the Mediterranean,across the ocean from Mexico.

By the way- those steps are REALLY big- probably close to 18 inches. You were supposed to go down facing sideways- so your back was never turned to the king/ priest/deity. With nothing to really hold on to, the first step is a huge step of faith and gut wrenching bravery. Or you can sit down and scoot like I did.

It's hard to see but all those designs are multiple pieces of stone, fitted together. Amazing!

 And a weaver in Oaxaca made the design into a rug.  Equally amazing.

Irene Ruiz works in vibrant shades of emerald, evoking early starlight. 

She weaves virgin wool on the handloom with traditional Zapotec techniques, 

employing natural dyes derived from native plants.

Here's another rug with elements of ancient design.

My favorite rug design... now laying on my floor. 

This is the wall of a room inside a Zapotec structure. This is a larger room off an open courtyard.  

There are also tombs underground,  wet and low.  You creep, in a squat, to see the walls.  
The things we do for the sake of exploration.  Oh, never mind- these have been explored for ages!

I was fascinate how this stonework probably inspired the weaving industry.  You are discouraged from photographing rugs- designs are hand created by each weaver. Since there is no copyright protection, a photograph could be used to copy a pattern.

Tile floor in a church-

A women from Oaxaca  doing hand-embroidery on a blouse. 
Her pattern echoes the church floor.

I love textiles- the feel of sturdy cotton and felted wools, the drape of a lighter cotton in a lowly dishtowel, the filmy flounce of a gauze blouse —all music to my fingers.  Then you add color and embroidery and layers of colorful aprons over lace dresses- Mexico is a textile feast for the senses. The ancient sense of style starting with stone work a thousand years old ends with women stitching and men weaving beauty today.  A legacy of color and texture and pride.  Viva Mexico!