Symmetry, Art, and Religion
How art and geometry inspire humanity to understand God.
Symmetry is one of the most important aspects of beauty. In physical aesthetics, symmetry is a core tenant of what we consider beautiful. In architecture, symmetry is quintessential and must come first in the designing process. If anything is off by even an inch, our eye can discern it, even if your eye is not trained.
The old masters taught us about the importance of the Golden Ratio, and how to apply it. The Golden Ratio is symbolized as the Greek letter Phi, and as a mathematical equation equal to 1.618. The Golden ratio is strongly related to both the Fibonacci Sequence and to the Lucas Numbers. All three concepts obey what is known as the Recurrence Relation: a core concept of discrete mathematics that is used to simplify complex problems into a repeatable process based on simpler versions of the problem. The Golden Ratio is also known as the divine proportion, it is a ratio found in nature, such as in pinecones, seashells, and flowers. It is a code written into the fabric of life, a math that all things must follow.
It makes perfect sense that us humans would find symmetry beautiful, and incorporate it into all our creations, beauty standards, and artistic ideals. After all, why is it that across most cultures and religions, we see the use of symmetry and geometry in art? Notable examples include the intricate mosaic patterns in mosques and the stained-glass rose windows found in cathedrals. The art of symmetry is so sought after that Buddhist monks in Tibetan mountains spend hours upon hours drawing colorful symmetrical sand mandalas into the sand, despite the fact that they will be blown away by the wind only hours later, representing the temporary nature of everything. Symmetrical and geometrical art is found in cultures all over the world, especially in the deeply spiritual and religious art they create.
Religious temples and sites of worship are arguably the most beautiful buildings that are designed by mankind. There is a great emphasis on beauty in sites of worship. Does this beauty inspire humanity, a closeness to God and perhaps Heaven? Geometry is a prerequisite in all architecture, but in the greatest religious temples it is ethereal. It seems the intricacy of the designs increases with the age of the temples. The older these temples are, the more impossible.
Geometry takes a more interesting turn when we add sound to it. First formulated in the 19th century, Cymatics is the study of visual sound by displaying vibration and sound on a plate or fabric. Depending on the sound, the vibration causes the water or sand to visualize different harmonious shapes. Using cymatics, one can observe the actual geometry of music or any other sound. Cymatics shows us the hidden world of vibration all around us, similar to how physics teaches us that all matter is constantly vibrating.
The Architecture of Sound is a thought-provoking project that intertwines cymatics and architecture. Tanya Harris is a multidisciplinary artist who studies vibration, cymatics, and sacred geometry in her art. In The Architecture of Sound, she explores the cymatic structure of sound that is created within beautiful churches. In this work, Tanya visualizes the sound of the architecture of four churches designed by architect Nicholas Hawksmoore. Tanya’s method was recording the silence within each of the churches, then playing it at a loud volume into the speaker for the cymatic shapes to appear.
Music, art, and geometry mix together and inspire humanity to try to understand God. Ancient relics all over the world show the importance of these symmetrical symbols, which have transitioned into the modern age through the forms of our jewelry and the ways we adorn our homes.
Sacred Geometry makes sense to us because of the fact that it is divine. This transcendent code is built into our very cellular foundation, reverberating in all we create. Our very DNA shows similar patterns as the cymatic shapes. It is us. This is why ugly art and music are offensive to us; they are the opposite of what is natural, and they disobey those laws of symmetry and geometry.
Nature is beauty, and beauty will continue to mystify us. Regardless, we should continue to pursue it in our daily lives through mediums like art, music, and religion.
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