Geometry Found In Nature

It’s literally everywhere you look.

I’ve been fascinated with geometric shapes for as long as I can remember. Somehow I have always been able to see them around me. I’m not sure why.

It wasn’t until 2014, though, that I discovered mathematical equations called fractals.

It was then that everything in my world started to make sense, and I realized that all the cool shapes and patterns I had been noticing my whole life, were on purpose.

I won’t get into some sort of long tirade about what fractals are. Click the word to learn more if you must. But let’s just say that they are the mathematical foundation for pretty much every living cell on our planet.

From our blood vessels to mountain chains; coastlines to the arteries of river deltas; even lightning bolts and DNA. Fractal mathematics is the building block of these structures.

Is your mind blown yet?

I constantly find myself drawn to the geometric shapes and patterns that are found in nature.

I don’t even look for them anymore, they just present themselves in the cleverest of ways.

Like when I laid down under this tree the other day. I looked up and the leaves were dancing in the breeze. In such perfect movement, they seemed to almost be waltzing with each other.

I have an endless fascination with succulents and I’m sure it is because of their amazing geometric structure. Okay, maybe it is also because they don’t need much water:)

Agaves, Sisal and Aloe Plants grow in this formation. These are also very geometric and each leaf grows in at a certain angle beyond the next one.

A very precise mathematical equation.

Flowers often have perfect geometric structures. Like this beautiful one with stamens that look like fireworks exploding.

BONUS: Check out the bug clinging to the back of the flower! I didn’t even notice it when I took this picture. Now I wish I could see it!

And just look at the beautiful baby cactus that is popping out. Its soft little thorns are in perfect unison.

You can even find geometric shapes and patterns at the beach and in the sand. My lead photo shows one example of this, below is another.

Plus, I just HAD to include my favorite shell, the sand dollar. I find its perfect structure just stunning.

Bubbles are beautiful also and the small spheres always fascinate and delight me.

Costa Rica is where we really tuned into the patterns on the beach.

You would be surprised if you looked closely at most of your everyday normal plants. From above, most have a geometric pattern that will be consistent throughout the plant like the one below on the left.

Ferns are beautiful to watch unfold. Each leaf of the fern is a smaller version of the one before it. This applies to the long tendrils we see, but also look at each individual leaf. The tiny leaves do the same sort of pattern.

All of them are contained in a tight coil until one day they pop out and into the light!

Some leaves have the most intricate patterns on the front and even on the backs.

And some small flowers just scream delicate in the way that their perfect points reach out to the world.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t share some of my favorite patterns.

Those that are found on insects.

Look at this incredible moth! Dennett enlightened me that it might be a member of the Idalus family, but I have no more information than that. Just look at the patterns in the wings. They almost mirror each other. Plus the edges of the wings look like fabric, and well, the body is just so fluffy!

Does its fluffy body remind anyone else of Falcor from the Never Ending Story?

Butterflies, dragonflies, and spiders also offer an endless selection of patterns and geometry on their bodies and/or wings.

I’m pretty sure that of the 20 000+ photos that are on my phone, at least 1000 must be of bugs and insects.

I’m sure if I continued looking for more examples in my photos, I would come up with hundreds more, but I hope this selection gives you an idea of the types of patterns that are found all around us.

Once you start to notice them, you won’t be able to stop.

Pretty soon you too will be basking in the Geometry Found In Nature.

Hi there, we are 2 Canadians, Jill and Chris from Artistic Voyages. We have been nomadic since 2017 living in numerous different countries, and experiencing the life and diversity of our planet on the ground and firsthand. We have now been on the African continent for over 2 years!

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