Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves having leaflets of particular shapes that control bending character. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve comprises a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes a central region and two side regions on opposite sides of the central region. The central region is defined by a shape substantially that of an isosceles triangle defined by two central region sides, the leaflet base and the leaflet free edge, wherein the two central region sides converge from the leaflet base, and wherein each of the two side regions have a shape substantially that of a triangle and each are defined by one of the central region sides, one of the leaflet sides, and the leaflet free edge.