Wait… what’s Sacred Geometry?
This is not an article about religion.
My favorite definition of Sacred Geometry by Randall Carlson
Essentially, in the universe, we can see most everything is constructed from the same mathematical principles and patterns. From atoms that form together to create human cells, snowflakes, honeybee nests (hexagon), and the nautilus shell (logarithmic spiral), to music, architecture, and even the cosmos – we can find the same patterns used over and over again.
Another great definition by Bruce Rawles:
In nature, we find patterns, designs and structures from the most minuscule particles, to expressions of life discernible by human eyes, to the greater cosmos. These inevitably follow geometrical archetypes, which reveal to us the nature of each form and its vibrational resonances. They are also symbolic of the underlying metaphysical principle of the inseparable relationship of the part to the whole. It is this principle of oneness underlying all geometry that permeates the architecture of all form in its myriad diversity. This principle of interconnectedness, inseparability and union provides us with a continuous reminder of our relationship to the whole, a blueprint for the mind to the sacred foundation of all things created. – Bruce Rawles, geometrycode.com/sacred-geometry/
What does this Sacred Geometry look like?
There are many patterns that fall under sacred geometry. Here are a few of the more well known patterns:
The Flower of Life (my personal favorite)
The flower of life is a geometrical shape composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles arranged in a flower like pattern with six fold symmetry like a hexagon. The perfect form, proportion and harmony of the FOL has been known to philosophers, architects and artist around the world. – Token Rock
The flower of life in biology, chemistry and cosmology:
Human Interpretation
Human’s discovered SG fairly early in our modern world. It plays an enormous role in religions around the world. From Hindu to Christianity symbolism, it can be seen in many ancient works. It’s also been utilized to create some of the most well known architectural achievements of man-kind.
There are also a lot of theories with how SG relates to to human energy. If you’re spiritual (not necessarily religious), I recommend reading up on how sacred geometry plays into the chakra and zodiac.
If you’re feeling really geeky and want to really dig down into the meaning of Sacred Geometry, I recommend diving deeper into The Meaning of Sacred Geometry, by Randall Carlson. Or the more easy-to-digest Introduction to Sacred Geometry by Bruce Rawles.
There’s also a great article of how SG works with architecture to influence human emotion here at http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~jkoch/sacred.html.
Buildings can have a profound influence on our health and our psychic and spiritual state of be-ing. Harmony and balance, light and colour, relationship to landscape, ecological sympathy, energy efficiency and geometric form are contributing elements of shelter which aspires to be nurturing rather than draining. We resonate at both cellular and consciousness levels with our environment. By creating an environment around us that is supportive to both our inner and our outer senses, we can enhance rather than alienate our human links with nature. Architecture, when employed as a means of embodying principles of universal harmony can sustain us rather than drain us, so that our homes become our havens, and our work places support our creativity.
So how does this relate to Open Source?
Open Source is an idea. An idea in which everything is freely available, can be used by anyone, and can be evolved by anyone. It’s a collaborative effort with no central ownership. In my opinion, Open Source is one of the greatest ideas ever conceived because it exists to drive humanity forward… to help people create something today that didn’t exist yesterday, with no restrictions.
Just like with Sacred Geometry, with Open Source, the blueprints are freely available for anyone to use and make something great.
Note: I first was introduced to the concept of Open Source in the early 2000s and began using WordPress in 2005-2006. Since then I’ve rarely used any sort of proprietary CMS to build sites. My online life has pretty much revolved around building with and for WordPress. At the time this article was written, I’m currently a designer for the Jetpack plugin. A free WordPress plugin created by the Automattic team.
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