The Brezel Shape is one of the key shapes for flourishing
If you’ve ever admired beautifully flowing flourishes in calligraphy, you may have noticed a shape that feels oddly familiar — almost like a bezel. In the German calligraphy world, this visual resemblance turned into an affectionate nickname: the “Brezel“ shape. It’s not an official historical term from the Renaissance or the Golden Age of Penmanship. Instead, it’s a modern, intuitive teaching metaphor that grew naturally among calligraphers — especially in German-speaking countries.
Why the “Brezel” Nickname Works So Well
1. It fits cultural visual memory
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the Pretzel is everywhere: bakeries, signs, festivals, traditional crafts. Its shape is instantly recognisable — which makes it a perfect anchor for visual learning. Using familiar objects helps students internalise movement more quickly. Saying “Try a Brezel shape here” is far easier (and far more charming) than saying “Add a compound double-loop intersection.”
2. The shape truly mirrors the structure of a brezel
A classic German Brezel has:
• one loop on the left
• one loop on the right
• a crossing in the centre
• and a smooth, continuous curve tying it all together
When you draw two symmetrical or semi-symmetrical loops that cross elegantly, the resemblance is undeniable. It’s by far the easiest — and most humorous — way to describe this motion. And students remember it instantly.
But where did the real Brezel come from?
Historically, its origins most likely trace to:
- Southern Germany, Alsace, and Northern Italy (the Alemannic region)
- Early medieval monasteries
- Monks shaping dough to resemble folded arms in prayer
So, while the name “Brezel shape” is modern, the form itself has an unexpectedly ancient cultural root.
Here you see the use of the Brezel shape with capital letters
Why the Brezel Shape Is So Useful for Flourishing
The Brezel shape is essentially a structured method for intersecting and intertwining strokes in a controlled, deliberate way. Because it resembles two loops crossing in the middle, it naturally creates:
- balanced space-filling flourish combinations
- complemented flourish forms which integrates well
- elegant crossings that look intentional, not accidental
Flourishing can easily become chaotic when loops collide or tangle. The Brezel shapes provide a reliable visual blueprint for intersections that remain clear and graceful.
Learn the key combinations to really imrove your flourishing
Once you know what to look for, you’ll start seeing the Brezel everywhere — even in flourished capital letters. Many traditional flourish constructions contain tiny pretzel-like moments inside their curves and intersections. As mentioned this form is one of the major key-combinations that happen for a reason in flourishing. More key combinations you can learn with templates in the workbook “Flourish Composition”. (go to Products).
And here you recognise the Brezel shape within flourish combinations.
3. Flourish masters have always used similar shapes
Even though the name is modern, the shape is not. “Brezel-like” crossings appear in:
- Copperplate
- English Roundhand
- Spencerian
- German Kurrentschrift ornaments
- 19th-century penmanship drills
Historical penmen frequently used figure-eight loops, mirrored ovals, and intersecting loops — they simply never labelled them as “Brezels.”
4. The Brezel is the perfect teaching metaphor
Good metaphors speed up learning dramatically. The Brezel works because it conveys:
- balance
- symmetry
- predictable crossing points
- a smooth, continuous flow
When teaching, you can simply say: “Place a Brezel here.” Don’t you think students instantly understand the concept without needing technical terminology?