Squares have long been a foundational shape in almost every aspect of human life since it was first discovered. While much has changed in the way humans create and solve problems, the square has always been essential to creating reliable end results.

According to CueMath, “a square is a closed two-dimensional shape (2D shape) with four sides.” Each of the four sides of the square is equal in size and is parallel to each other. The equal sides and interior angles are equal to 90°.

If you want some help finding square-shaped things around you, let’s break down the most common places to find the popular shape. Windows, boxes, and record albums are commonly square-shaped.

The meaning of a square changes depending on the circumstances. Sometimes, old towns will have an open area for meetings. These places are called “town squares”.” Even if they are not shaped exactly like a square, they are commonly referred to as a square.

The symbolism of squares can be quite literal. The symbolism of a square typically comes from the basic shape and design of the shape. The square is often a symbol of sturdiness, as all four sides of the shape equally support each other.

While the square is a symbol of strength, the foundational shape can represent so much. The shape is a perfect balance between four points, which many believe represent the full sets of four in nature that depend on each other: the four cardinal directions, the four elements, the four seasons, and the four phases of life.

While a square is about the natural order of things, being called a square feels like an insult. That’s because it can be. The 1940s slang term originated with the American jazz community and reference people who are out of touch with musical trends (via Oxford English Dictionary).

Squared up has a simple meaning, but can be used in many different ways. According to Merriam-Webster, squared up means “to turn so that one is facing something or someone directly.” This term can be used literally to turn something toward you or to fight someone.

A square with a circle outside a symbol is simple geometry that has no important or influential meaning in Western culture. But “squaring the circle” commonly refers to creating a square of the same area as a given circle, using a finite number of steps and using a compass and a straightedge as your only tools.

The symbol of a square has become the foundation of all physical spaces. For example, the pyramid is one of the holiest structures according to sacred geometry, which is an ancient science that gives symbolic and sacred meaning to geometric shapes and certain geometric proportions (via Destination Deluxe).

According to Research Outreach, the square’s discovery was credited to the Babylonians and Greeks. Through the discovery of Heron’s method, the precursor of Newton’s iterative method, the square became a foundational shape for all of math.

Here are some interesting facts about one of the most popular shapes to exist. A square is also considered to be a rectangle with equal sides. However, a rectangle can never be a square. A square is also a rhombus with right angles.