The acanthus is a plant described by Dioscorides, a Greek physician and botanist of the first century. It features broad, flexible, prickly leaves that perish in winter and sprout again in spring. Found in the Grecian islands, particularly at the borders of cultivated fields or gardens, it is common in moist, rocky situations.

The acanthus is notable for its role in the design of Corinthian and Composite column capitals. The ornamentation of the Corinthian capital, located below the abacus or top slab, resembles a vase or bell surrounded by two rows of acanthus leaves.

According to tradition, Callimachus, who invented this ornament, was inspired by the following incident: A Corinthian maiden, betrothed but dying before her wedding, had her toys and jewels placed in a basket covered by a flat tile. The basket was positioned over an acanthus root, which grew around it and curled under the weight of the tile, creating a distinctive foliage pattern. This pattern was later adopted by the architect as a model for the Corinthian capital, memorializing the maiden's story in marble.

Dudley (Naology, page 164) considers the tale to be puerile, suggesting that the acanthus is actually the lotus of Indian and Egyptian origin, symbolizing laborious but effective effort in supporting the world. He equates the symbolism of the acanthus with that of the lotus (see Lotus).