The Symbol of Beauty

One of the more striking observations to be made about nature is the strong propensity towards symmetry and repetitive patterning. Symmetry is evident in living and non-living structures. Throughout the ages, from primitive tribal communities to modern electronic civilizations, symbols have been used to describe the simple, complex, tangible and intangible. These symbols display a wide range of materials and techniques, yet they also carry a common denominator. This common thread is the composition of symmetry which is influenced by nature and the environment. It is a recurring visual composition which has evoked passion in all human beings. But what exactly is this passion and from where does this passion come? In comparing and contrasting art objects throughout history it becomes clear that symmetry is a basic concept for creating images and that there are a wide range of objectives associated with these images. Is their an innate link between symmetry and the end goals of these art objects? Could symmetrical composition be an intricate part of defining beauty?

Symmetry in Nature

Many species in nature are symmetrical many more exhibit random or repeating patterns.  It is important to determine if the species or object is symmetrical or merely contains a pattern.

 Realizing the symmetry of living organisms will help us to better understand the anatomy of the organisms.  Understanding the symmetry of inorganic material such as crystals will better help us to determine the qualities and uses of the substances.

 Sandollars, sea shells, flowers, faces, fish (even flounders)... the list goes on and on. Each item offering a unique form immersed in symmetry. In detail, there are always imperfections rendering an object not perfectly in equilibrium but the overall form is symmetrical. Symmetrical patterns in nature have influenced artists and architects throughout history and have played an important role in the shaping of our environment as well as the creation of our culture and society.

The word ‘symmetry' is often used in everyday language, and usually people of all ages (young and old) can recognize symmetry when they see it.

Do you ever wonder why that happens?

Well, the reason for this is that symmetry can be found everywhere and in everything around the world. There are several different kinds of symmetry, but the one that appears in nature most often is called bilateral symmetry.

Here are some examples of bilateral symmetry in nature:

If you take any of the pictures above and divide them vertically in the middle, the left and the right halves of the image will be mirror reflections of each other.

The beauty of symmetry in nature inspired a famous poet William Blake to write a poem about it:

Symmetry is also an innate characteristic of human psychology. "As infants, humans have a preference for looking at faces. Young infants also prefer looking at complex patterns such as a bull's eye or a checkerboard rather than simple ones"3. It is truly fascinating when infants are learning to focus. Their pupils dilate and narrow as they begin the process of vision. First in black and white and later in color the visual world is a new experience and being able to recognize providers and threats is a challenge. The first images infants focus on are faces. These faces provide the infant with a reference of survival. It is in these symmetrical images that the newborn infant realizes a new security. The infant can find peace and reassurance in recognizing a parent. The human being is a complex organism which itself is symmetrical. When we first encounter a newborn our fears are centered around health. Is the baby OK? Does the baby have two hands, two feet, five fingers on each hand and foot? Health is immediately perceived through visual symmetry. Once the newborn has passed this visual exam, it is beautiful, it is perfect, and with this notion comes a complete feeling of happiness. A joy that dispels all the fears of deformation and proves them to be false.

Is there a link between symmetry and beauty?

Is symmetry the symbol of beauty?

What is beauty?

HUMAN SYMMETRY

THE 'PROPORTIONS OF MAN' IS A FAMOUS WORK OF ART BY LEONARDO DA VINCI
THAT SHOWS THE SYMMETRY OF THE HUMAN FORM.

Symmetrical faces

A Snowflake

We don't have to examine nature very closely to see its beauty. A bird, a forest or a galaxy has a form of beauty which is typical of complex organised systems. A snowflake has another element to its beauty which is also very common in nature but which is often only evident on close inspection. We call it symmetry.

The snowflake begins its life as a minute hexagonal crystal forming in a cloud. During its passage from there to the ground, it experiences a sequence of changes in temperature and humidity which cause it to grow at varying rates. Its history is recorded in the variations of thickness in its six petals as it grows. This process ensures that each petal is virtually identical and accounts for the snowflakes symmetry.

When a snowflake is rotated through an angle of 60 degrees about its center, it returns to a position where it looks the same as before. It is said to be invariant under such a transformation and it is invariance which characterizes symmetry. The shape of the snowflake is also invariant if it is rotated through 120 degrees. It is invariant again if it is turned over. By combining rotations and turning over it is possible to find 12 different transformations (including the identity transformation which does nothing). We say that the order of the snowflakes symmetry is 12.