Of the two art installations below, which piece appeals to you the most?
Jackson Pollock’s #31 (1950)?
Or, the rose window of Strasbourg Cathedral, designed by the architect Erwin von Steinbach in the twelfth century?
Pollock’s work impresses us for his unique creativity at the time, its size (nearly 9’ x 18’), the gnarled texture, and the illusion of movement.
The second artwork dazzles us for its intricate design, its size (nearly 50 feet across), and the precise, colorful artistry.
Another factor that draws our eye: symmetry—the quality of being made up of similar parts facing each other or around an axis.
Imagine the number of glass pieces required for the Strasbourg window, each carefully cut to exact dimensions in order to complete sixteen matching petals. Note that the number doubles where the sixteen sections become thirty-two.
Research conducted with babies has proven: humans are born with a predilection for symmetry, whether it’s in art, nature, music, or the people we find attractive.
Beauty is bound up with symmetry.
Herman Weyl, physicist [1]
Even Pollock employed symmetry in his work. There’s balance between the right and left sides, the top and bottom, in the amount of paint used, and in the ratio of gray, white, and black paint (albeit not as precise as a rose window)!
Of course, it wasn’t a human who introduced symmetry into the universe, it was God, and it is everywhere.
Countless examples can be found in four basic forms.
Bilateral, with matching right and left sides:
Except for a few anomalies, all animals fall into this category.
Radial, with parts radiating outwards from a center:
Aeonium arboreum
Biradial, which combine both radial and bilateral symmetry:
See all those hundreds of barbs on each feather? They’re bilaterally symmetrical too.
And spherical:
Globe Thistle
But then there are numerous variations, including:
Fractal, where the same shape or pattern in various sizes is repeated over and over.
Romanesco Broccoli
Wallpaper, with its repeating pattern horizontally and vertically.
Macro Photography of actual honeycomb
Fibonacci, based on the ratio 1:1.618 and called the Golden Ratio [2], is found in the double spiral of sunflower seeds.
Rotational, when an object still looks the same after some distance of rotation.
Icosahedral, with its adjoining faces, each connected to the others at the same angle, creating a spherical shape.
Model of the Carbon 60 Molecule
The Carbon 60 molecule is just one example of symmetry at the microscopic level. But it also occurs at the cosmic.
For instance, on April 8, 2024, Planet Earth will experience a total solar eclipse—another example of bilateral symmetry. Such a phenomenon occurs because the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, but also 400 times farther from the earth, making the two bodies appear the exact same size in the sky [3].
Nearly everywhere we look, some form of symmetry is bound to be within view.
And what might we learn about God from his use of symmetry?
The wonder of creation is,
every encounter illuminates
something about God.
Margaret Feinberg [4]
Symmetry indicates that he loves order and organization, pattern and design, proportion and balance.
Symmetry gives evidence of his intentionality in creation, his attention to detail, his care and precision in the execution of his plan.
Symmetry affirms Intelligent Design. All of these astounding patterns could not have happened by chance, any more than pieces of glass can randomly come together in a rose window.
The more we know of God’s works, the better we know him.
The better we know God, the greater our awe and wonder.
And wending along the shoreline of wonder leads to worship [5].
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Glorious Creator, for the joy of discovery as we learn about you. You ARE the Master Craftsman. Everything you’ve made has been thoughtfully and expertly fashioned by your hand. I delight in your deeds and happily sing in celebration of your handiwork!
1 Timothy 4:4a; Psalm 92:4
[1] Symmetry (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1989).
[2] See https://nancyaruegg.com/2017/06/22/the-language-of-the-universe/ for a more detailed explanation and many astounding examples of the Golden Ratio in creation.
[3] https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/science/geometry/
[4] Wonderstruck, 55.
[5] Though we intend our worship to bless God, he blesses us as we do. See https://nancyaruegg.com/2022/07/07/what-happens-when-we-pause-to-praise/
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com (Wally Gobetz); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (Martin Kraft); http://www.flickr.com (Chris Bertram); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.flickr.com (Brian Auer); http://www.pexels.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.wallpaperflare.com; http://www.pxfuel.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (2); http://www.wallpaperflare.com.
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From the Inside Out 
I’m awed every day by some aspect of creation, like a child in a sandbox looking up in wonder at a blue jay in flight.
Children often offer us a worthy example of wide-eyed wonder for God’s creation. Kudos to you, Robert, for finding something wondrous in nature to celebrate every day! (Blue jays in flight is a good place to start!)
There is so much wonder in all these things Nancy.
I find it interesting that I gravitate toward Jackson Pollock’s #31
I think Pollock probably appeals to the free spirit within you!
You are the second person this week that has called me a free spirit…I guess I fit that .
Nancy—this is an amazing blog–and shows the handiwork of God in creation to the point that I think many will come to faith if they read this. Wow!! Thank you so much!!
Thank you Katie. I marvel to think how much has been discovered about the workings of the universe since Paul’s time when he wrote Romans 1:20. Even in his day it was clear: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (NLT). Now, after twenty-plus centuries of continued research, the evidence is even more overwhelming!
Yes–the evidence is even more overwhelming–if only we would look and see.
Fascinating! The perfection of the universe is so mind boggling. How can anyone with the amazing brains God blessed them with think that all this symmetry just jumbled together out of nothing into complete order down to the minutest unseen speck? You would enjoy the book “Is Atheism Dead” by Eric Metaxas. He presents well researched evidence to confirm the Bible and creation. Thanks for tackling this topic, Nancy! 🙂
And thank you for the book-recommendation, Nancy. I’ve put it on my reading list!
I’ve always noticed and been awed by the symmetry in all creation – God’s hand is most definitely in it all. There is nothing that we see in the natural world that shouldn’t leave us with an overwhelming sense of wonder and thankfulness, Nancy. Thank you for this enlightening post!
I’m with you, Martha–God’s handiwork does boggle the mind and thrill the soul! I’m so glad you found this post enlightening. Praise God for directing me as I researched and collected the images!
As a retired interior decorator, symmetry was always an important element in my design. The wonder of God’s creation is daily on my mind and in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing this amazing blog post, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Pam. With your eye for design, you no doubt appreciate God’s use of symmetry even more than most!
I love this, Nancy! How can someone not believe in God when they see the amazing creations around us everyday! Your blog made me stop and thank Him for his wonderful gifts of His handiwork, so Thank You!
So glad you loved this post, Mary. How wonderful that it led you to worship–on the spot! Praise God for his inspiration!
Thanks for writing this, Nancy–a beautiful example at many levels of the order, detail, and glorious wonder of God. You’ve given me a very long shoreline of wonder, a chance to be in awe of something I didn’t know. This was beautifully done. How amazing is our God!
I learned more about symmetry too as I researched for this post, Dayle. Who knew there were so many variations of form? And I love how this one element of design shows off God’s artistry in such diversified ways. / Isn’t that wonderful imagery that Ralph Sockman used in that quote? God certainly has provided a long shoreline of wonder to keep us amazed our entire lives. And then there’s the eternal shoreline of wonder yet to come in heaven!
I want to claim “most elegant blog title I’ve ever seen” and leave it at that, but I can’t help but comment on symmetry. It was a guiding principle of my college architecture designs (even though our professors encouraged us to “think outside of the box”. Symmetry brings me a sense of peace and order, as in the Rose Window. Symmetry makes me yearn for my childhood Spirograph sets 🙂 Finally, word connoisseur that I claim to be, I can’t help but see a palindrome as an example of bilateral symmetry. My favorite: “A man, a plan, a canal… Panama!”
I too love the elegant imagery of Ralph Sockman’s quote, and agree that symmetry contributes to peace and order. Thank you for including the bilateral symmetry of your favorite palindrome. That’s a good one!
I love this Nancy! A powerful art lesson that points to a creator. Your words “Symmetry affirms Intelligent Design. All of these astounding patterns could not have happened by chance, any more than pieces of glass can randomly come together in a rose window.’ reminded me of what my girls are studying in Biology right now- the seemingly simple yet so complex water molecule that is designed to sustain life. Not quite sure how a biologist could deny Intelligent design.
I think it takes more faith to be an atheist than a Christian, because a huge body of evidence must be ignored to believe everything happened by chance. / I’m so glad you loved this post, Beth–praise God for his direction as I wrote!
wow inspirational. Love all the photos/illustrations. Makes you wonder how people can’t believe in God.
I agree–the evidence is overwhelming if a person will consider it. So glad you found this post to be inspirational, Jean–praise God!
Thanks for this. Our God is an amazing creator.
INDEED!
i tend to be non-symmetrical in my decor. makes some of my more OCD loved ones a bit crazy, but i do love thinking outside the box within fairly strong boundaries.
weird, huh …
There’s plenty of proof in creation that God loves freeform too–in the shape of lakes, some trees, sponges, amoeba, crab claws, more. Kudos to you for thinking outside the box, Linda–we need creatives like you!
God’s creation showing symmetry is truly remarkable, I’m reminded how much better off we are when we do life alongside Him, indeed our lives are much more balanced when we’ve partnered with God and the Christian lifestyle is lived out.
Great post!!
Now there’s a concept worth exploring, Alicia–the symmetry of relationship, especially the way it might be lived out with our Heavenly Father. I’ll have to give that some more thought!
Yes I’d love to read it!!
I’m sharing this wonderful post with Aaron. He and I watch lots of nature shows. God’s design is just astounding, yet still the narrator or others on the show refer to evolution or adaptation as fact, no questions asked. Aaron knows better, so when he hears those comments he looks at me right away and we both give a “thumbs down.” He laughs and laughs then, and I think of how God is laughing at silly humans for not seeing His great design in every microscopic part of creation. It also breaks God’s heart. Your blogs always teach and encourage me, Nancy. Thank you!!
Praise God you find encouragement here, Patty. What a delight for ME to think Aaron might enjoy one of these posts! We too watch a number of nature shows and roll our eyes at some of the commentator’s statements. You are so right: God’s great design is in EVERY microscopic part of creation!
Hi Nancy,
Yes, wonder and order hand in hand. Can you imagine this on a cosmic scale? Then a microscopic scale? Crazy!
Gary
Agreed: the innumerable wonders of the universe continue to fill us with awe, as scientists learn more and more. “He [God] performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9)!
That’s right.
I love the window, but the Pollock painting captures more of my attention. It’s amazing the intricate details God puts into all his creations!
Perhaps it’s that streak of creativity in your personality, David, that something out of the ordinary grabs your attention. As for the intricate details God puts into all his creations–the more we learn the more astounding his accomplishments. He IS our God of wonder!
This is so interesting, Nancy. Our creator is the greatest artist of all and you illustrated this perfectly. Beautiful!
Thank you, Cheri! I was delighted to find so many compelling examples available on the internet–for free usage!
Also, as one who appreciates symmetry it was enlightening to see it in God’s creations, along with their beauty.
Symmetry IS a thing of beauty. The fact that there are so many examples in a number of different formats boggles my mind!
Love this, Nancy. I loved art class when I was in school. Beautiful post.
What a blessed testament to read! Our Creator’s eye for the smallest details reminds me that . . . yes, there is God. Nancy, I appreciate your own eye for the details used in this narrative. Our heavenly Father is a most amazing Creator!
It was great fun searching for examples of symmetry to illustrate each category. I had no idea there were so many types! You are so right, Richard: God is a MOST amazing Creator! I never cease to be enthralled with His handiwork.