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/)
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