The golden mean

Fibonacci how-to.

Discover how the golden ratio shapes nature through simple definitions and fascinating examples, from flora and fauna to human bodies.

Alex Bellos: The world’s top graphic designers explore the ancient geometrical concept in poetry, food, sculpture, hairstyles and decorative art.

For artistically-minded people, the golden ratio—or better yet, the divine proportion—might be easier to understand visually. Here are several examples of how the golden ratio can be applied to works from art history.

A small compositional pun in honour of Norman Rockwell

In our last post, we introduced you to our ongoing L/E Journal series on the Elements and Principles of Design by discussing balance and harmony. For the second chapter, we’re focusing on scale and proportion. Just as the last post, we’ll begin with definitions to understand scale and balance in a design context. scale (n) […]

What is Golden Ratio? Different names have been used to define the Golden Ratio in the past and in the present. A few examples include Phi, the Golden Mean, the Divine Section, the Golden Proportion, and the Divine Proportion. Almost all of nature’s elements contain this golden ratio (1:1.618). The golden ratio can be found […]

♠Aristotle´s Ethical Theory: “On the Concepts of Virtue and Golden Mean”: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ The concept of A…

Learn about the origins of the Fibonacci sequence, its relationship with the golden ratio and common misconceptions about its significance in nature and architecture.

Is there a mathematical key to beauty? Artists have designed harmonious relationships based on pure geometric forms since time immemorial – some applied the Golden Mean to their figures and t…

The golden ratio in art is a composition principle that has been used by artists and architects for centuries. It is a natural ratio that is pleasing to look at.

Born: c. 1170 in Italy Died: c. 1250 (at about age 80) Nationality: Italian Famous For: Fibonnaci Numbers Leonardo Pisano Bigollo was an Italian mathematician. He is usually better known by his nickname, Fibonacci, and is considered to be among the foremost European mathematicians of the medieval era. He was instrumental in bringing the widespread […]

The Golden Ratio in Leonardo da Vinci's famous Vitruvian Man. © Copyright 2010 Michael Paukner. All Rights Reserved. Print Shop | Twitter | Facebook

Sacred geometric shapes and symbols all use mathematical patterns and ratios that are deeply ingrained in our DNA and human subconscious. The golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence are prime examples of mathematical formulas represented in all sacred geometry. These formulas come from the universal laws of mathematics and physics that dictate the creation of the planets, galaxies, and the universe. Sacred geometry is present from the ‘micro level’ of molecular structures, to the ‘macro…

In my last Fibonacci post I wrote about how Fibonacci set himself a question and then went about answering it. The resulting sequence has been intrinsically linked to the golden ratio ever since. I am very grateful for Denise’s input in the comments section of that particular post because I was still confused. How on earth did… Continue reading Fibonacci, Da Vinci and the Golden Ratio

Phi, or 1.618, is known as the golden ratio, and can be found throughout artistic composition and nature. It can be represented in the formula (a+b)/a = a/b = phi.This formula applies to the golden…

Spiral imposed on the Parthenon showing the golden mean.