What is fleurons?

Fleurons (from the French word "fleur," meaning flower) are decorative elements that are used to give a manuscript or book a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. They are typically floral in design, consisting of small, ornamental images of flowers, leaves, and other natural motifs. Fleurons date back to the Middle Ages and were often used to decorate illuminated manuscripts or to add ornamental flourishes to the margins and empty spaces of pages.

In typography, fleurons are used as a type of punctuation or as ornaments in decorative typefaces. They are often found at the beginning or end of a chapter or section and can be used to break up long blocks of text, add visual interest to a page, or reinforce the theme of a book or article.

Fleurons continue to be used in typography and graphic design today, with many digital fonts featuring digital versions of traditional fleuron designs. They are also commonly used in logo design, invitations, and other forms of print and digital media.