Symmetry?

In the course of a year long courtship, dh wooed me with all the typical things- flowers, chocolates and such stuff that typify a budding relationship which is to blossom into matrimony. But also, all manner of books- from the practical and prosaic GRE study material to this. It was my first exposure to Desmond Morris. Something I read recently had me click a few links and get to this digit index theory about gender typing and got me thinking about the larger issue of visual aesthetics.

There is, in the begining of all this, the sacred geometry which is incorporated into all religions, folk or tribal or classic. While some people have even developed templates for human facial beauty, especially in respect of the female of the species, others merely worship symmetry, everywhere it is visible and reproducable. The very thread of life is alleged to conform to the beautiful symmetry of proportions. One could follow these links and enjoy the richness of the history of this concept of divine symmetry or just go with your own assessment of what appeals.

The learned researchers who try and determine the subtle differences between natural asymmetry and abnormal asymmetry do seem to be closer to the point that perfect symmetry may not always be so perfectly beautiful!