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The mixed variational formulation of many elliptic boundary value problems involves vector valued function spaces, like, in three dimensions, and . Thus finite element subspaces of these function spaces are indispensable for effective finite element discretization schemes. Given a simplicial triangulation of the computational domain , among others, Raviart, Thomas and Nédélec have found suitable conforming finite elements for and . At first glance, it is hard to detect a common guiding principle behind these approaches. We take a fresh look at the construction of the finite spaces, viewing them from the angle of differential forms. This is motivated by the well-known relationships between differential forms and differential operators: , and can all be regarded as special incarnations of the exterior derivative of a differential form. Moreover, in the realm of differential forms most …