Ripples are a traditional pattern in many cultures: they represent flowing water.  In arid regions, a person with no water rights was poor indeed, and might have to carry water a great distance every day.  A wealthy person who owned a spring enclosed and ornamented a household fountain so women would not have to carry water from the village well.  The enclosed springs stayed clean, and didn't evaporate during drought.  These ripple patterns show enclosed fountains and ornamental water gardens, often used as metaphors for a wealthy, fertile, protected woman, or for spiritual purity.

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