The Greek Ends design certainly predate the Old Town canoe company. Known in modern times as a meander, meandros, Greek fret or Greek key they go all the way back to predate ancient Greece. They could be found in China and the Ancient Near East before their popular use in Ancient Greece perhaps symbolizing infinity and unity. They were found throughout the Roman Empire, Egypt, India, Scandinavia and both North and South America. They all shared a basic theme.
These early civilizations shared similar conversations. They spoke of the Gods Above and the Gods Below, the Sky Father and the Earth Mother and the Waters-above and the Waters-below. Although there have been variations in the design the symbolism of the mingling of spirit and matter through involution and evolution, is always implied in which the fingers of each are linked in a peculiar manner , forming the fret as illustrated below.
So it does in fact have a very specific meaning that is so appropriate for a wood and canvas canoe. The joining of those materials, wood and canvas, to form a link between, present and past, to fill our hearts with, joy and happiness. Our recognition of the magic found in wooden canoes.
Thanks to my friend in Greece, Chris Tizranis and his link to a Wikipedia post and my chance find of an article by the Theophysical University Press Online Edition.
