Week 18: Symmetry

As a pattern seeking individual, symmetry has always fascinated me.

Regular repeating patterns are pleasing, well-proportioned and balanced

They're an important geometrical concept often seen in nature

and used in just about every aspect of our lives..

They invite further inspection and, particularly in nature,

make something simple look incredibly attractive.

Whilst reading up on symmetry and how far-reaching it is, I discovered so many interesting things.

Sunflowers for example.

They have radial symmetry and an interesting type of numerical symmetry too,

known as the Fibonacci sequence.  Mathematicians will know what this is.

If we took the time to count the number of seed spirals in a sunflower,

we’d find it adds up to a Fibonacci number.

Apparently the same can be said for pine cones, pineapples and artichokes.

Owls are one of the few creatures that are not bilaterally symmetrical.

Nonsense you might say.  Everything about an owl is symmetrical.

But you’d be wrong.
Whilst an owl might appear to be symmetrical,  it’s hearing isn’t.

One ear is higher than the other so that sound can be channeled differently to each ear.

And the reason for this?

It allows owls to locate the source of a sound in three-dimensional space.
A fascinating, but irrelevant to this week’s challenge, fact.

This photo's from the archives.

Peacocks are relevant to this weeks challenge however as they take symmetry to the next level.

I also actively seek out reflections and, sometimes without choosing to,

see them everywhere, even in puddles. Symmetry in another form.

Again, it’s the balance, the harmonious cohesion and the lines that appeal.

The mathematics behind symmetry permeates everything around us.

Without realising it we’re all drawn to it in one way or another.

“Mathematics is the science of patterns,

and nature exploits just about every pattern that there is.”

~ Ian Stewart.