The Parthenon in Athens, built by the ancient Greeks from 447 to 438 BC, is regarded by many to illustrate the application of the Golden Ratio in design. Others, however, debate this and say that the Golden Ratio was not used in its design. This article will attempt to answer that question using measurements taken from high resolution photos. It was not until about 300 BC … [Read more...]
Phi, the Golden Ratio, can be found throughout life and the universe. The appearance of phi creates a sense of balance, harmony and beauty in the design we find in nature. Mankind has both applied this same proportion, both consciously and unconsciously, to achieve balance, harmony and beauty in art, architecture, design and composition.
Phi, Pi and the Great Pyramid of Egypt at Giza
The Great Pyramid of Egypt closely embodies Golden Ratio proportions. There is debate as to the geometry used in the design of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Built around 2560 BC, its once flat, smooth outer shell is gone and all that remains is the roughly-shaped inner core, so it is difficult to know with absolute certainty. The outer shell remains though at the cone, so … [Read more...]
Royal Academy 2012 Rose Award for Photography
Tim Fisher wrote with his observations on the golden ratio aspects of the winner of the Rose Award and £1000 at the 2012 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. The photo was submitted by Peter Abrahams as Vanitas: Cleaning, Archival pigment inkjet, 76 x 97 cm. I agree with Tim's observations. The original photo was as follows: If you overlay a PhiMatrix golden ratio grid to … [Read more...]
Acoustics and the Golden Ratio
The application Phi gives superior results in acoustics. It is believed the Greeks used Golden Ratio to achieve the wonderful sound and "ideal acoustics" that Golden Proportion rooms have. Many cathedrals also use the Golden Section, in part, for the same reason. The Golden Section not only minimizes acoustic resonance, it also imparts a very musical quality to the remaining … [Read more...]
Golden Ratio Relationships in Color
Phi relationships in a color spectrum produce rich, appealing color combinations Michael Semprevivo has introduced a concept called the PhiBar, which applies phi relationships to frequencies, or wavelengths, in the spectrum of visible colors in light. Colors in the spectrum that are related by distances based on phi or the golden section produce very rich and visually … [Read more...]
Credit Cards and Golden Ratio Proportions
Credit cards are in the shape of a Golden Rectangle. If you ever need an easily accessible example of a golden rectangle illustrating the proportions of the golden section, all you need do is to pull out a credit card or drivers license. . Standard sized credit cards are 54mm by 86mm, creating a ratio of 0.628, less than a millimeter off from a perfect golden ratio or golden … [Read more...]
Phi and Principles of Design
Phi creates a sense of beauty. Phi appears throughout life and the universe. Some believe that it is the most efficient outcome, the result of natural forces. Some believe it is a universal constant of design, the signature of God. Whatever you believe, the pervasive appearance of phi in all we see and experience creates a sense of balance, harmony and beauty in the design … [Read more...]
Music and the Fibonacci Sequence and Phi
Musical scales are related to Fibonacci numbers. The Fibonacci series appears in the foundation of aspects of art, beauty and life. Even music has a foundation in the series, as: There are 13 notes in the span of any note through its octave. A scale is composed of 8 notes, of which the 5th and 3rd notes create the basic foundation of all chords, and are based on … [Read more...]
Poetry composition using Fibonacci and Phi
Phi is not just the inspiration for art, architecture and design, but for poetry as well. Some poets use Fibonacci numbers in the construction of poetry. Others write poetry about phi itself. And while not exactly poetry per se, you wordsmiths might also enjoy the following anagrams: "The Golden Ratio" has the same letters as "The God Relation." "The Golden Section" has … [Read more...]
Quincy Park and Phi
Quincy Park in Cambridge, MA is a courtyard devoted to expressions of the Golden Spiral. It was designed in 1997 by artist David Phillips with the Halvorson Company and is located next to the Inn at Harvard in Harvard Square (1201 Massachusetts Ave), across the street from the Clay Math Institute (One Bow Street). There is a statue of a golden spiral in the middle, which … [Read more...]