<p>A possible term is '<strong>counterchange pattern</strong>':</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;<em>Patterning in which a dark motif on a light ground alternates with the same motif [in] light on a dark ground.</em>&quot; (<a href="https://www.lexico.com/definition/counterchange" rel="noreferrer">lexico.com</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Examples:</p>
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<th><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/iziPZ.gif" width="200"></th>
<th><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qtC4g.jpg" width="300"></th>
<th><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/z0ROX.jpg" width="200"></th>
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<td><sup><a href="https://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-patterns/counterchange-pattern-allied-to-the-chess-board-design.html" rel="noreferrer">source</a></sup></td>
<td><sup><a href="https://brianrussell.typepad.com/weblog/2005/07/art_ideas_count.html" rel="noreferrer">source</a></sup></td>
<td></td>
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<p>The Frisian artist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher" rel="noreferrer">M.C. Escher</a> famously made extensive use of this type of pattern, inventing a lot of new ones.<br />
Take a look at his work <em>Metamorphosis III</em> from 1967-68, for example, which contains many patterns of this type, all organically transforming into one another:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ogVGs.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ogVGs.jpg" alt="M.C. Escher, Metamorphosis III" /></a></p>
<p>As you can see, they are not all counterchange patterns: often Escher's patterns involve two distinct units, being not only visually but also symbolically inverted (e.g. <a href="https://www.dejvid.net/blog/2018/6/19/on-the-case-of-eschers-angels-and-devils" rel="noreferrer">angels and devils</a>).<br />
For more examples, see <a href="https://mathstat.slu.edu/escher/index.php/Regular_Division_of_the_Plane_Drawings" rel="noreferrer">this page</a>.</p>
<p>A broader term that incorporates both types of patterning is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessellation" rel="noreferrer">tesselation</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;<em>An arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping.</em>&quot; (<a href="https://www.lexico.com/definition/tessellation" rel="noreferrer">lexico.com</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<p>Also check out <a href="http://ttps://eschersket.ch/" rel="noreferrer">eschersket.ch</a> if you're interested in creating repeating patterns yourself.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-24T21:28:54.650Z
2021-09-25T07:32:14.873Z
2021-09-25T07:32:14.873Z
Joachim
<p>I would call your example a square spiral. Most people wouldn't think of it as it two overlapping identical shapes. Rather, they would think of the black spiral as the one shape. The nearly-identical white shape is simply formed by the negative space outlined by the black spiral.</p>
<p>To find more complicated spiral patterns, have a look at search results for <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=greek%20key%20spiral&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821&amp;sxsrf=AOaemvLi74ViQg5A-b1p7WOG8HPEu6x7FA:1632181159096&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiDjcnR3I7zAhXZWc0KHW1oCvkQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=947&amp;dpr=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Greek key spiral patterns</a>. <a href="https://pixels.com/featured/greek-key-ornament-greek-meander-black-on-gold-lioudmila-perry.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">An example</a>:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/21tAn.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/21tAn.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Also have a look at <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=labyrinth%20pattern&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitoqPh3I7zAhVRbK0KHUtKCEQQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=labyrinth%20pattern&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB46BwgAELEDEEM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6BAgAEENQhtkbWPXkG2D06htoAHAAeACAAV-IAZQFkgEBOJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=yBtJYa2eAdHYtQXLlKGgBA&amp;bih=947&amp;biw=1920&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Labyrinth patterns</a>, for example:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/JLLxq.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/JLLxq.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a> <a href="https://timelesslabyrinths.com/types/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a></p>
<p>Similar patterns are used in Celtic art. You can find a selection in search results for &quot;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=celtic%20spiral&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821&amp;sxsrf=AOaemvJ8rsediOtkyUr5wEE0hyB67--ZGw:1632181879672&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=2ahUKEwit3JWp347zAhXJ_rsIHQXOAr0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=947&amp;dpr=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Celtic spiral</a>,&quot; for example:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/p6A1X.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/p6A1X.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NryOk.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NryOk.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>(images without specific source links are from the linked Google image search results)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-21T22:55:31.673Z
@Joachim I agree, but hopefully if my answer is not what they wanted they will clarify.
csk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-24T21:04:47.817Z
thanks, i used  some of your keywords i think I'm looking for a drawing where the negative space is identical to the positive space
Ahmed Laoun
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-20T23:58:17.690Z
2021-09-20T23:58:17.690Z
csk
<p>What do you call two identical shapes overlapping to form a perfect square or circle?</p>
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<p>These are simple examples; I want more complicated examples or the name of this type of art.</p>
<p>I'm looking for a drawing where the negative space is identical to the positive space.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-20T21:55:58.183Z
Welcome to Arts & Crafts.  Can you clarify the question?  It isn't clear what you mean by overlapping identical shapes (I don't see anything overlapping in the example), and it is hard to extrapolate the example to a circle.  If you have trouble explaining it in words, a few more varied examples would help, especially one involving a circle.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-21T06:45:15.350Z
Hi Ahmed! Please also note that simply asking for more examples of something you found is not really on-topic here. We can help figuring out the term or name of the style, but only if you give a clear description.
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-21T08:17:41.923Z
A circular example might be a [yin-yang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang) symbol, but, like the visual example above, there isn't really any overlap.  They're *interlinked* (that and it's synonyms might be worth searching on) rather than overlapped.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-24T21:17:49.140Z
@ChrisH yes like the yin-yang example but a more complicated patterns, is there a specific name for this kind of art
Ahmed Laoun
<terminology><style-identification>
What do you call two identical shapes overlapping to form a perfect square or circle?
Ahmed Laoun
# What do you call two identical shapes overlapping to form a perfect square or circle?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-09-20)

What do you call two identical shapes overlapping to form a perfect square or circle?

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
|  |  |

These are simple examples; I want more complicated examples or the name of this type of art.

I'm looking for a drawing where the negative space is identical to the positive space.

**Tags:** terminology, style-identification

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to Arts & Crafts.  Can you clarify the question?  It isn't clear what you mean by overlapping identical shapes (I don't see anything overlapping in the example), and it is hard to extrapolate the example to a circle.  If you have trouble explaining it in words, a few more varied examples would help, especially one involving a circle.  
> **username_2**: Hi username_0! Please also note that simply asking for more examples of something you found is not really on-topic here. We can help figuring out the term or name of the style, but only if you give a clear description.  
> **username_3**: A circular example might be a [yin-yang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang) symbol, but, like the visual example above, there isn't really any overlap.  They're *interlinked* (that and it's synonyms might be worth searching on) rather than overlapped.  
> **username_0**: @username_3 yes like the yin-yang example but a more complicated patterns, is there a specific name for this kind of art  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-09-24. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

A possible term is '**counterchange pattern**':

> "*Patterning in which a dark motif on a light ground alternates with the same motif [in] light on a dark ground.*" ([lexico.com](https://www.lexico.com/definition/counterchange))

Examples:

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [source](https://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-patterns/counterchange-pattern-allied-to-the-chess-board-design.html) | [source](https://brianrussell.typepad.com/weblog/2005/07/art_ideas_count.html) |  |

The Frisian artist [M.C. Escher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher) famously made extensive use of this type of pattern, inventing a lot of new ones.  
Take a look at his work *Metamorphosis III* from 1967-68, for example, which contains many patterns of this type, all organically transforming into one another:

[![M.C. Escher, Metamorphosis III](https://i.sstatic.net/ogVGs.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ogVGs.jpg)

As you can see, they are not all counterchange patterns: often Escher's patterns involve two distinct units, being not only visually but also symbolically inverted (e.g. [angels and devils](https://www.dejvid.net/blog/2018/6/19/on-the-case-of-eschers-angels-and-devils)).  
For more examples, see [this page](https://mathstat.slu.edu/escher/index.php/Regular_Division_of_the_Plane_Drawings).

A broader term that incorporates both types of patterning is [tesselation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessellation):

> "*An arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping.*" ([lexico.com](https://www.lexico.com/definition/tessellation))

---

Also check out [eschersket.ch](http://ttps://eschersket.ch/) if you're interested in creating repeating patterns yourself.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-09-20. Score: 0

I would call your example a square spiral. Most people wouldn't think of it as it two overlapping identical shapes. Rather, they would think of the black spiral as the one shape. The nearly-identical white shape is simply formed by the negative space outlined by the black spiral.

To find more complicated spiral patterns, have a look at search results for [Greek key spiral patterns](https://www.google.com/search?q=greek%20key%20spiral&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821&sxsrf=AOaemvLi74ViQg5A-b1p7WOG8HPEu6x7FA:1632181159096&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDjcnR3I7zAhXZWc0KHW1oCvkQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=947&dpr=1). [An example](https://pixels.com/featured/greek-key-ornament-greek-meander-black-on-gold-lioudmila-perry.html):

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/21tAn.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/21tAn.png)

Also have a look at [Labyrinth patterns](https://www.google.com/search?q=labyrinth%20pattern&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwitoqPh3I7zAhVRbK0KHUtKCEQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=labyrinth%20pattern&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB46BwgAELEDEEM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6BAgAEENQhtkbWPXkG2D06htoAHAAeACAAV-IAZQFkgEBOJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=yBtJYa2eAdHYtQXLlKGgBA&bih=947&biw=1920&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821), for example:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/JLLxq.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/JLLxq.png) [source](https://timelesslabyrinths.com/types/)

Similar patterns are used in Celtic art. You can find a selection in search results for "[Celtic spiral](https://www.google.com/search?q=celtic%20spiral&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS821US821&sxsrf=AOaemvJ8rsediOtkyUr5wEE0hyB67--ZGw:1632181879672&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwit3JWp347zAhXJ_rsIHQXOAr0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=947&dpr=1)," for example:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/p6A1X.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/p6A1X.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/NryOk.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/NryOk.png)

(images without specific source links are from the linked Google image search results)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: @username_2 I agree, but hopefully if my answer is not what they wanted they will clarify.  
> **username_0**: thanks, i used  some of your keywords i think I'm looking for a drawing where the negative space is identical to the positive space  

---

