A frieze is a decorative band that runs horizontally along a wall, often near the ceiling or along the top of a building. Ancient Greek temples featured elaborate friezes carved with scenes of gods, heroes, and battles. The Parthenon frieze, for instance, shows a grand procession of people and horses winding around the temple.

Friezes appear in buildings throughout history: grand government buildings might have friezes depicting important historical events, while older libraries sometimes feature friezes showing scenes of learning and discovery. Even some modern buildings use friezes as decorative elements.

The word comes from architecture, but you might also see it in interior design. A frieze can be as simple as a painted border near the ceiling or as complex as a series of carved figures. In your own home, look up near where the wall meets the ceiling: some rooms have a decorative strip running along that space.

Think of a frieze as storytelling in stone, plaster, or paint: a continuous ribbon of decoration that draws your eye around a space, often teaching or celebrating something the builders thought important enough to make permanent.