December 31, 2016

Dot Tracks and Cracks


Design by Antoni Gaudi. Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain, 2007.

For other examples of Gaudi's work, see "Gaudi Circles," "Casa Mila," and "Spires and Cranes."

Photo by I. Peterson

December 30, 2016

Elliptic Suffusion


Suffusion by Arthur Carter. George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 29, 2016

Atomic Cube


University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, 2012.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 28, 2016

Sampler Symmetries


Antique European needlework sampler of symmetric patterns demonstrating various types of stitches.


Photos by I. Peterson

December 27, 2016

Capitol Snow


U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., 1982.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 26, 2016

Kenneth Snelson (1927-2016)


Sculptor Kenneth Snelson in his Manhattan studio, New York City, 2011. Snelson died on December 22, 2016.




Snelson's Needle Tower delivers a wonderful geometrical surprise when you venture underneath and look up to see a striking symmetrical pattern.


Virlaine Tower by Kenneth Snelson. Besthoff Sculpture Garden, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2010.


Sagg Main Street by Kenneth Snelson. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2000.


Forest Devil by Kenneth Snelson. Mellon Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2010.

See also "Snelson's Atom."

Photos by I. Peterson

December 25, 2016

December 24, 2016

Farolito Walk


Candles nestled in paper bags line the street during the Farolito Walk on Canyon Road, Christmas Eve. Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2015.


Photos by I. Peterson

December 23, 2016

Linear Tree Lights


Toronto, 2006.



Photo by I. Peterson

December 22, 2016

December 21, 2016

Hyperbolic Crocheting


Hyperbolic crocheting by Daina Taimina. Coxeter Symposium, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 2006.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 20, 2016

Organ Pipe Symmetry


Seemingly symmetric arrays of organ pipes. Leith Symington Griswold Hall, Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 2016.


Photo by I. Peterson

December 19, 2016

Snow Day Symmetry


Trinity College School, Port Hope, Ontario, 1979.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 18, 2016

Angels of Montreal


Montreal, Quebec, 2006.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 17, 2016

Old and New


Contrasting architectural styles. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2010.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 16, 2016

Love in Red and Blue


LOVE by Robert Indiana. Philadelphia, 2000.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 15, 2016

December 14, 2016

Window Symmetry


Symmetrical arrangement of stained glass windows. Ottawa, Ontario, 1975.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 13, 2016

Wind Chime Pipes


Wind Chime Memorial, St. Olaf College. Northfield, Minnesota, 2010.


Photos by I. Peterson

December 12, 2016

Snow Tracks


New Hampshire, 1985.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 11, 2016

December 10, 2016

December 9, 2016

Geodesic Mesh


View from inside the Biosphere geodesic dome. Montreal, Quebec, 2009.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 8, 2016

Iced House


Meadville, Pennsylvania, 2010.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 7, 2016

Ice Breaks


Wintry harbor scene. Kingston, Ontario, 1975.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 6, 2016

Worm Tracks


The Three Observed by William Vazan. Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, 2006.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 5, 2016

Como Lights


Christmas lights straddle a narrow passageway. Como, Italy, 2010.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 4, 2016

Star Points


Wall design with sixfold symmetry. Temple on Gadi Sagar Lake, Jaisalmer, India, 2010.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 3, 2016

Christmas Tree and Monument


The fractal-like structure of the National Christmas Tree contrasts with the Euclidean straight lines of the Washington Monument on a snowy day. Washington, D.C., 1987.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 2, 2016

Gimli House


Gimli House (left). Reykjavik, Iceland, 1985.

Photo by I. Peterson

December 1, 2016

Sixes and Seven


Doorway, Academic Quadrangle. Rice University, Houston, Texas, 2008.

Photo by I. Peterson

November 30, 2016

North Shore Fractals


Fractal rock formations of Oahu's North Shore. Hawaii, 1983.


Photos by I. Peterson

November 29, 2016

November 27, 2016

Town Hall Symmetry


Symmetric facade of the Bremen Town hall. Bremen, Germany, 1985.

Photo by I. Peterson

November 26, 2016

November 25, 2016

Cutty Sark


Cutty Sark, Greenwich, England, 1975.

Photo by I. Peterson

November 24, 2016

Stonework Symmetry


Stonework design with threefold symmetry. U.S. Capitol grounds, Washington, D.C., 2014.


Design with fourfold symmetry.

Photos by I. Peterson