1. Tessellations

2. Illusion Mosaic Tessellation Congruent Polygon
Vocabulary Words
Illusion Mosaic Tessellation Congruent Polygon
1. A ________ is a closed shape that has three or more sides. 2. An ________ is a deceptive or misleading image or idea A ________ is a design created by imbedding stones or pieces of glass on a surface A collection of repeating shapes that fit together to cover a surface without overlapping or leaving gaps is called a _______ Polygons that are the exact same size called __________ polygons.

3. TESSELLATION: a collection of repeating shapes that fit together to cover a surface without overlapping or leaving gaps.
simple
complex

4. Do you see the repeating shapes?

5. Tessellations occur in nature.

9. Tessellations are all around us.

12. The repeated shapes that make up a tessellation are called congruent polygons. A polygon is a shape that has three or more sides. Polygons that are the exact same size are called congruent polygons. Which pairs of shapes below are congruent polygons?

13. In addition to finding tessellations in nature, humans have been making tessellation designs for centuries. People in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) were making tessellation designs over 6,000 years ago.

14. Ancient castles and mosques show examples of tessellations on their floors, walls, and ceilings. Some of the oldest and most elaborate examples of tessellation designs can be found in Islamic art and architecture.
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

15. Tessellations are commonly seen in tile mosaics
Tessellations are commonly seen in tile mosaics. A mosaic is a design created by imbedding stones, tiles, glass or other hard material onto a surface.
Imam Mosque
Esfahan, Iran

16. Notice how tessellation designs are carved into pillars made of wood and marble.
Islamic Palace in Khiva, Uzbekistan

17. One of the most well known places to see tessellation designs used in architecture is the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

19. The Alhambra’s beauty has provided creative inspiration to its viewers for centuries. One famous Dutch artist who’s work was greatly influenced by this palace is M.C. Escher.

20. M.C. Escher ( ) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists. He is well-known for creating optical illusions and for his use of tessellating shapes.
Ascending and Descending
Sky & Water I

23. Day and Night, Woodcut, 1938

24. Cycle, Lithograph, 1938
Development II, Woodcut, 1939

26. Smaller and Smaller, Wood engraving and Wood cut, 1956

27. Drawing Hands, Lithograph, 1948

28. Waterfall, Lithograph, 1961
Moebius Strip II, Wood cut, 1963

29. Up and Down, Lithograph, 1947
Other World, Wood engraving and Wood cut, 1947

30. Relativity, Lithograph, 1953

31. Reptiles, Lithograph, 1943

32. Contemporary architects, textile and graphic artists continue to use tessellation designs in their work. The examples below show how illustrators today use computers to generate incredibly colorful and imaginative tessellations.
Makoto Nakamura
Jim McNeill