Radial Symmetry in Art, Math, and Science

Radial Symmetry Radial symmetry or balance is a type of balance in which the parts of an object or picture are regularly arranged and radiate from a central point. It appears both in natural and in human-made objects.

Three Types of Balance or Symmetry Radial Symmetry is only one of three types of balance. The others are Mirror or Bilateral Symmetry and Asymmetry.

Mirror or Bilateral Symmetry Also called reflectional or line symmetry, mirror or bilateral symmetry is a type of balance in which a center line, called the line of symmetry, divides an object in half so that one side mirrors the other.

Asymmetrical Balance In art, asymmetrical balance is a form of symmetry in which the two sides of a picture or object are different but are visually balanced. They are visually equal without being identical. Most modern art is asymmetrical. Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Radial symmetry is found in both natural and human-made objects. Natural Objects

Human-Made Objects

Objects that have radial symmetry can be divided into equal pieces like a pie. Each equal piece of a pie is also a congruent shape. Congruent shapes are exactly the same in size and shape.

Snowflakes are natural examples of radial symmetry.

Snowflake designs can take many forms using cut paper. This design is from ZooFlakes ABC. Unicorns

Kangaroos

Zebras

mendi Radial symmetry designs may be round.

Or they may have a square frame.

Images seen in a kaleidoscope have radial symmetry.

One type of human-made radial symmetry is the mandala. A mandala is a symbolic pattern, usually in the form of a circle divided into four sections.

Mehndi are radial designs painted on the hands for special occasions in some countries.

Student Work

Radial symmetry windows in Medieval cathedrals are called Rose Windows. This one is in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

The front entrance to Notre Dame has a rose window.

The largest rose window is found on the side of the Cathedral facing the river. Look for the smaller one above it. Do you see any others?

Chartres Cathedral, another Medieval cathedral in France

Chartres Cathedral

To create a radial symmetry design, begin by tracing a large circle on white drawing paper. Then, using a ruler, divide the circle in half, then into fourths. Draw a detailed line design in one "piece of the pie," then repeat it exactly the same way in the other “ pieces. ” Use colored pencils, markers, or paint to color each piece, again, exactly the same. The same idea also works with cut paper instead of drawing.

Divide any size circle by this method to create symmetrical, congruent shapes. Each of the final pieces are congruent shapes.

Use colored pencils, markers, or paint to color each piece exactly the same.

Rebecca 5 th grade

Hayley 5 th Grade

Kelly Daughtry

Megan Lewis

Hayley McClaine

Destiny Grant

Jenny Gilbert

TEKS: Geometry and spatial reasoning. The student recognizes congruence and symmetry. The student is expected to: (A) identify congruent shapes; (B) create shapes with lines of symmetry using concrete models and technology; and (C) identify lines of symmetry in shapes.