Pattern of life

Patterns (click on pattern and you find wikipedia's definition) are the background of our life, we find them in our DNA,

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mathematics, physics, chemistry, art or architecture. We organize with the help of patterns. The rhythm soothes or energizes us. These ancient Egyptian designs show how old the use of patterns is.

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I love patterns, simple dots to complicated structures. Only now as an adult am I able to see beauty in mathematical patterns...

11100011001110001100
01110001100111000110
00111000110011100011
10011100011001110001
11001110001100111000


I recognize my love for them all around me. Music has this structure too, patterns of harmonies. Themes and variations.





Ptolemy, Harmonics
In Latin
Late fifteenth century

Music was a mathematical science in its own right in the classical tradition. This copy of a Latin translation of Ptolemy's important theoretical work, Harmonics, was owned by the Italian music theorist Franchinus Gaffurius (ca. 1451-1522) and ends with a colophon in his own hand.


Sir Roger Penrose is a professor of mathematics at Oxford University. One of his most fascinating discoveries was a series of aperiodic (or quasiperiodic) tilings. Remarkably, one of these consists of just two plane figures, both parallelograms. These extraordinary patterns are almost but not quite regular - small regions sometimes repeat, but there is no 'repeat' unit at any scale which could simply be copied to tile the plane (or your browser).

While thinking about this subject I found a book which could help me explore this subject a bit deeper.



But I delight most in patterns, which adorn our life, be it in nature or the creative patterns in decorative arts!

LouisvilleStoneware




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I have neglected a lot, there would be so much more to find in architecture or nature, since patterns are a part of the basics of our existence. Celtic patterns or the Indians have made patterns a part of their culture. I have not spoken of patterns in seasons or patterns in human life. Our development follows unique patterns. It can only be a small inspiration and perhaps you are as fascinated as I am by patterns and their inner logic and beauty!


XX
Victoria




Pictures as indicated, book via amazon.com, shell picture via flickr, chair Urban Outfitters, stucked cups Starbucks, weekend bag Borders, all others by me.