Tessellations

What is a Tessellation? A tessellation is any repeating pattern of interlocking shapes. The word tessellation comes from the Latin Tessella, which was a small Square stone or tile used in ancient Roman mosaics.  Tiles and Mosaics are common synonyms for tessellations.  Some shapes, or polygons, will tessellate and others will not.  As for the regular polygons, tessellations can easily be created using squares, equilateral triangles and hexagons.

Tessellations can be simple…

Tessellations can also be very complex…

M.C. Escher Maurits Cornelis (M.C.) Escher (1898-1972) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists. During his lifetime, Escher made 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches Apart from being a graphic artist, Escher illustrated books, designed tapestries, postage stamps and murals . Using a mathematical technique called "tessellation," Escher produced complex patterns based on repeating shapes in the forms of butterflies and fish, birds, and lizards..

Create your own Tessellation The Assignment… Create your own Tessellation