Symmetry: The Ordering Principle

Wooden Books

by David G. Wade

Why on earth do cars have the same symmetry as dragonflies? Is there really a beautiful swirling pattern lurking in every dripping tap? What do insect eggs have in common with planets, and why? In this exquisite book, the smallest and most concise ever produced, designer David Wade introduces the main principles of symmetry, and shows how, despite opinions over exactly what it is, symmetry can be found in almost every corner of science, nature and human culture.

Genres: Art, Science, Design, Mathematics, Reference, Nonfiction, Physics

58 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2006

About the author

David Wade is an artist and architect, as well as the author of Pattern in Islamic Art (Overlook Press and Studio Vista, 1976); Geometric Patterns and Borders (Wildwood House and Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982); Crystal and Dragon: The Cosmic Dance of Symmetry and Chaos in Nature, Art and Consciousness (Destiny Books, 1993); Li: Dynamic Form in Nature (Walker & Company, 2003); and Symmetry: The Ordering Principle (Walker & Company, 2006).

He lives in Wales.

Reviews

[Lisa A.]

An awesome little book. I was amazed by how much info was packed in here. I loved how Wade clearly demonstrates the various types of symmetry found in everything from humans to water, the planets and art, even the symmetry of behavior & culture. It left me wanting to learn more about the study of this paradoxical principle that pervades the universe.

My favorite line: "...symmetry principles are characterized by a quietude, a stillness that is somehow beyond the bustling world; yet in one way or another, they are almost always involved with transformation, or disturbance, or movement."

The universe is so ordered yet chaotic, so busy yet still - and we also portray those same paradoxes (& much more) at times. And through it all there's a oneness in all of it.

[Michal]

My friend had this book on the wishlist so we (me and my wife) thought it might be a good gift. I was interested myself so I quickly read it before a visit. For me, regular person, it's lovely short book with interesting images exploring symmetry and where I can spot it in regular ordinary life. Our friend is a mathematician, so i think she will like it much more.

[Lucka Strmisková]

Roztomilá knížečka vhodná jako dárek pro matematika. Doprovodné ilustrace jsou úžasné a jsou mnohem zajímavější než samotný text.

[Mohan Vemulapalli]

This is a compact volume that is jam packed with content including many useful illustrations. I would definitely recommend this book as an introduction to the subject of symmetry. The author provides detailed and concise coverage of the subject.

I picked this book up with an intention to skim through it and possibly pick up some new knowledge about symmetry in the field of biology. I figured I would be done in an hour or two.

Nope. This book consolidates a wide range of knowledge about symmetry as it appears in art,math and the sciences. I hesitate to use the word "comprehensive" for such a short volume, but it does provide an "extensive" coverage of symmetry in a wide range of fields.

[Silvio]

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know" - John Keats

[Orçun Güzer]

Simetri hakkında genel kültür edinmek isteyenlere yönelik, tasarımı çok güzel olan, içinde de harika resimler barındıran bir küçük kitap. Boyutu yanıltmasın, tam olarak çerezlik okuma denemez; yer darlığından kısa geçilen bazı yerleri anlayamadığımı itiraf etmeliyim. Doğadan, sanattan ve bilimden bolca örnek içeriyor. Bu örnekler, simetriyi yaratan algoritmanın sadece insan yapısı oluşumlarda değil, fizik yasalarında da bulunduğunu gösteriyor. Yazarımız, "Gerçeğe gizli simetrilerin arasından geçilerek ulaşılacaktır." diyor.

[Paige McLoughlin]

Wooden books are charming small books with beautifully illustrated nuggets of esoteric knowledge related to the sciences but also old arcana. They are fun and I would give them as a gift to an inquisitive child. This one deals with symmetries be they repeating prints in wallpaper or Islamic design. Or Penrose tiling and fractal patterns and body symmetries of plants and animals and galaxies or branching trees. Beautiful stuff. Very humanities-oriented.

[Jbondandrews]

Having never read about symmetry before this is a good book to start with.

[Tristan]

A fun very little book, feels like all the first slides of a very interesting lecture series. Didn't feel like I learned much but got thoroughly teased.

[{ fee }]

super cute book with nice illustrations and visual inspiration!

[The_J]

This book gives a great detailed analysis to the question raised by William Blake:

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

[Ludo]

Symmetrie als ordenend principe
Dit schitterend boekje, van David Wade, heel mooi uitgegeven bij Wooden Books, heb ik "gevonden" (voor 10 $) vorige zomer (2007) in "The Elliot Bay Book Company" een zalige boekhandel in Seattle. Je hoeft er niet eerst slapeloos voor te worden of op zoek te gaan naar Meg, zelfs s'avonds tot 10 pm kan je er terecht.
Naast een schitterend aanbod, vakkundig personeel om je te helpen, kan je er ook nog een hapje eten in het kelder café, tussen het grasduinen door.

Symmetry: The ordering Principle
Designer David Wade vertelt in dit knap geïllustreerd pareltje (met oude gravures en originele prenten), op een aanstekelijke manier hoe symmetrie in mekaar zit en waar je het overal ontmoet. In elk hoek van de wetenschap, de natuur en ook onze menselijke cultuur vind je uitingen van symmetrie. Met voorbeelden uit de wiskunde, muziek, natuur, oogt dit als een bundeltje poëzie, en is dus niet om in één ruk uit te lezen, maar om regelmatig eens van te proeven, te genieten, eventjes vast te pakken en voor het slapengaan...

[jeremy]

the wooden books series is like lunchables to the teenager: seemingly nutritious and fulfilling, but ultimately unsatisfying - offering very little in the way of actual substance (save for its attractive packaging).

symmetry: the ordering principle, author by designer david wade, looks at the role of symmetry throughout the realms of nature, geometry, art, and society. it's intriguing fare, to be sure, but leaves one (or, at least, this one) wanting for something beyond the cursory. while these books are beautifully illustrated, i can't help but wonder if they're perhaps geared only towards those with very short attention spans and easily-satiated minds.

[Jana Lánová]

Úžasná kniha, už nikdy se na svět nebudu koukat jak předtím (a navíc ho budu umět pojmenovat slovy jako dihedrální či dorzoventrální).

[Lisa]

A very nice little overview to symmetry in art, math, and science.

[Marsmannix]

Too hard for me.

[Jen Crichton]

Lovely illustrated introduction to symmetry in nature great and small. A starting point from which to skate further, not an end point where you are immersed in answers.

[Tomas]

tak trochu nuda ...