An ornamental pattern is a multicolor surface which is largely filled with any decorative flourishes that do not form a geometric or organic pattern as a whole, and do not constitute an image. Examples of such flourishes include borders, friezes, capitals, cartouches, garlands, bursts, and many others. The decorations should appear at least somewhat regularly across the surface. Individual elements may be representational, for example forms of leaves or stars, but the overall placement should be to achieve a decorated or elegant effect rather than to create a picture.

Decorative flourishes should occupy much of the surface and recur with some regularity. An isolated ornament does not establish the overall pattern.

Leaves, stars, or other representational details are permitted when the overall purpose is decoration. A surface dominated by a recognizable picture has the separate image designation.