Circle around a lattice design cushion

The 'Maru ni Igeta' crest is a design featuring a lattice pattern, often associated with the wooden framing around a well. Historically, the character '井' (i) represented a well, and the framing around it was called 'igeta.' In heraldry, a square shape is referred to as 'izutsu,' while a diamond shape is called 'igeta.' The well has long been a sacred site, associated with spiritual beings and the worship of gods. The 'igeta' design is thought to have originated from this spiritual significance. The earliest recorded use of this crest is found in 'Kenmon Shoka Mon,' where the Ii clan's crest is depicted as a 'i' character design, which later evolved into the 'izutsu' crest. Families with the character '井' in their surname often adopted this design as their family crest (according to 'Kamon no Jiten' by Takazawa et al.).