The visual motif of the spiral is one of the oldest and most enigmatic sacred images known. It is one of the earliest examples of human creative expression, appearing in nearly every society in the ancient world. The spiral has universal appeal and has a mysterious resonance with the human spirit, it is complex yet simple, intriguing and beautiful. The spiral pattern is found extensively in nature – encoded into plants, animals, humans, the earth and galaxies around us. Mathematics can explain the complex algorithms, sequences and equations that make up a spiral pattern, but it can’t explain the lure and fascination of the spiral to the human heart. Here are some beautiful examples of spirals from the natural world. Click on all photo’s for a link to the original site – Enjoy!
Sunflower Spiral (www.ratemyscreensaver.com)
Millipede Spiral (www.magickcanoe.com/millipede/narceus-spiral-sm.jpg)
Weather pattern over Iceland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Low_pressure_system_over_Iceland.jpg)
Vine Tendrils (wikimedia.org)
Goat with Spiral Horns (www.bukisa.com/articles)
Nautilus Shell with Logarithmic Spiral (wikipedia nautilus logarithmic spiral)
The Nautlius Shell is a beautiful natural spiral. You can find more on the Nautilus at my previous post on Fractals in Nature. If you like sea shell spirals, find more great spiral examples on Xahlee’s site.
Spiral Mollusc Fossil (from http://www.xahlee.org/xamsi_calku/fossil/fossil.htm))
Pine Cone (from http://images.mooseyscountrygarden.com)
Garden Snail Spiral shell (xahlee.org/xamsi_calku/snail/snail.html)
Whirlpool (www.unoriginal.co.ok/gallerymisc58.html)
Spirogyra - green algae under the microscope (photo:Jan Parmentier http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk)
Romanesco brassica (wikipedia)
Red Cabbage, compound spiral (photo: Ian Alexander http://www.easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~iany)
Cactus - succulent spirals (wikipedia)
Fern Spiral - archimedes pattern (by lopolis on Flickr)
Human Fingerprint - whorl (at http://www.ridgesandfurrows.com)
From a tiny baby to the massive expanse of universe, spirals are all around us. They link us all – me to you, you to nature, and us to the greater universe. Maybe that’s the intrigue – the symbol that joins humans, animals, plants, earth, galaxies and beyond. Incredible.
Human hair, double crown.
Spiral Galaxy (at European Space Agency http://www.sci.esa/int/science-e/)
If you’d like to leave a comment, scroll to the top of the post and click on “add a comment”.
Your site has been a great inspiration and the knowledge gained has gotten me past the obstacle blocking my way.
Now, when life is spiralling, I will think of you and your web – and understand the beauty of God’s purpose in my life better. Thank you so much for sharing.
spiral life”’,,, you didn’t mention and as well without pictures……….
Part of the fascination may be that the spiral is also one of the primordial flow patterns for energy in our universe, from smallest to largest. Here is a link to sprial patterns of subatomic particles in a bubble chamber: http://is.gd/547SQ.
The great artist-genius Walter Russell even produced a periodic table of the elements organized like a spiral. http://is.gd/5481s
And Austrian naturalist Viktor Schauberger wrote extensively of the important of the spiral form to water’s health and vitality. http://is.gd/5485c
Pretty neat!
Good job! These pictures are astonishing.
The spirals are quite fascinating….especially the sunflower!!!
your imagination about comparison is excllent.The pictures looks very nice.
Fibonacci and the Golden Spiral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_number
Very nice, this shows our Fathers finger in all of His creation. you can also include the ocean wave and if you curl your index finger to you thumb you get a nice spiral.
Lovely collection. Thank you.
thanks for the inspiring page
I think time itself is best portrayed as a spiral, not a line; perhaps a helix would be more precise… just think about it: it all began once(movement, at some point)-each one of the 24-hours in a day, each day of the week, each month in each year, each one of the four seasons- and it is still carrying on… and when it ends, at the same time, time begins… I think the spiral is the most beautiful pattern in nature; the pattern of time.
I love this!! I put it on my Pink Spiral art page ( I’m slightly obsessed with spirals)because the photos are so inspiring but it’s great see others loving the incredible spiral too.. universe, energy, evolution etc
))
Thank you.
How can I share this to my facebook page? Please & thank you.
(‘;’)
i love it! this is so cool i’m learning this in art and i use stuff like spider webs and flowers and there were examples like shells
That’s great Lizzy – good luck with your studies. Once you open your eyes to these you’ll start to see them everywhere!
Wonderful pictures from various dimensions of nature. Thankyou for them.
I would love to show them on face book, guide me how….
These are great examples of spirals on nature.
I love these. Thanx for sharing.
[...] to a blog about ‘Spirals in Nature’ which I think describes well the themes and things I ponder [...]
great post! I’m working on a short film where we talk about spirals. wanted to see if you would let me borrow your description to use in my script. let me know how you feel about it. thanks!
Wonderful selection of examples!
[...] mosaic images via: Top Left; Top Right; Left Middle Row; Centre; Bottom Left; Bottom Centre; Bottom [...]
I like all the pictures but especially the goat.
that is magnificent
haha the goat one is cute!
wow those are amazing pictures
haha the cabbage one ! is quite cool!
Amazing!!!
[...] some more beautiful spiral imagery, check out Original Beauty, a wonderful blog with inspiring photos. Share this:EmailTwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first [...]
Hi,
I’m intrigued by the inspiring info on this post. Worthwhile going through, and commendable.
Thinking of natural spiral shapes, I could only relate to 2-3 in an instant, but you came up with a whopping 18 of them and really interesting ones.
Regards,
Firas
http://firaszphotography.wordpress.com
and of course well written!
Thanks Firasz!
wonderful selection of exaple…
Reblogged this on Missi Lynn Boness ~ Artists United Founder.
Been reading the book “Swirl by Swirl, Spirals in Nature” by Sidman and Krommes to my 1st – 4th grade students and then showing them the photos on this blog. Thank you.
That’s great Debbie!