Symmetry is one of the great wonders – and perhaps mysteries – of nature. Humans mostly have two of each, eg arms, ears, eyes, legs, nostrils. Animals are largely similar but have 4 legs although their back legs are often for jumping and their front legs are often for digging (source). Some species have 6 legs (insects) or 8 (spiders) or even more (eg, centipede). Some species have however no arms or legs at all (eg, snakes, worms).
Visual symmetry is probably the most obvious form of symmetry. Some further examples are found in architecture. Slate: “Symmetry is something that Islamic mosques, Chinese pagodas, Hindu temples, Shinto shrines, and Gothic cathedrals have in common.”
Symmetry can also be heard. JSTOR: “Through the history of music – in various musical forms and styles – it is possible to recognize some universal principles. One of them is symmetry, a specific aspect of repetition.”
Symmetry can also be felt. My blog of 12 April 2015 and its update of 17 May 2016 described a classification of human emotions based upon symmetry. One could well argue that (heterosexual) relationships are a matter of symmetry as well.
The fundamental forces of nature show symmetry that can partly be felt: gravity vs electromagnetism, strong nuclear force vs weak nuclear force. Recently, a Hungarian physics lab claimed to have possibly found a fifth force of nature (eg, Nature, New Scientist, Phys, Wiki). Please also see my 8 September 2015 blog on Equilibrium and disorder.
Another type of symmetry, which is within religion or morality, requires a different type of sense. All religions are based on Go(o)d versus (d)Evil.
In his book, Symmetry: A Journey Into the Patterns of Nature, mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy writes that the human mind seems constantly drawn to anything that embodies some aspect of symmetry. He observes that “[a]rtwork, architecture and music from ancient times to the present day play on the idea of things which mirror each other in interesting ways.” (Slate)
I think, feel and believe that symmetry reflects beauty. Beauty is a key element in natural selection, sexual selection and reproduction.
I received a most interesting comment to a draft version of this blog. She said: “Perhaps people like the beauty of symmetry because things are then in balance.” Note: italic markings are mine.
I didn’t see this one coming but it actually makes perfect sense to me. It also aligns my previous blogs about Change (parts 1–2–3), Chaos, Disorder & Equilibrium (parts 1–2), and this one about Symmetry, to another fundamental force in Life, Nature and the Universe, called Balance.
Even my March 2016 diagram (above) suggests a balance between Equilibrium and Chaos. Change is the weight on each scale.
The Scales symbol (see left picture) is also the 7th astrological symbol in Western Zodiac, better known as Libra. The Scales symbol is based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and custom. Themis became the inspiration for modern depictions of Lady Justice. (Wiki)
Libra is the only constellation in the sky represented by an inanimate object. The other 11 signs are represented either as an animal or mythological characters throughout history. (Wiki)
Balance seems be the ultimate driving force of Life, Nature and the Universe. Again, that makes perfect sense once you give it a good thought.
Gino Vannelli – Put the weight on my shoulders (1981) – artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Put the weight on my shoulders
Take the load off your mind
Cause the headwinds that blow
Will fade away in time
0 Comments