Types of Patterns in Nature: Symmetry, Fractals, and Fibonacci Sequences

Pattern

A repeated design, form, or sequence that follows a rule or creates order.

Rhythm

Repetition that creates a beat or tempo. (e.g., tiles, drumbeats in visuals)

Flow

Guides the eye smoothly in one direction. (e.g., waves, curved lines)Guides the eye smoothly in one direction. (e.g., waves, curved lines)

Geometric

Made of precise shapes and forms. (e.g., grids, tessellations)

Movement

Gives the illusion of motion. (e.g., swirls, zigzags)

Nature (Stripes & Spots)

Inspired by natural designs. (e.g., zebra stripes, leaf veins)

Visual

Pleasing to the eye using symmetry & contrast. (e.g., mandalas, mosaics)

Texture

Creates a sense of surface feel. (e.g., wood grain, fabric weave)

Symmetry

Same appearance on different sides.

Bilateral Symmetry

Same when reflected (e.g., human body).

Rotational Symmetry

Same when rotated (e.g., starfish, splash patterns).

Fivefold Symmetry

Found in echinoderms - group of marine animals that have a hard, spiny skin and usually show fivefold symmetry as adults. (e.g., starfish, urchins, sand dollars).

Six-fold Symmetry

Found in snowflakes.

Fractals

Self-similar patterns at different scales.

Spirals

Curves winding outward from a point (Shells, galaxies)

Bubbles/Foam

Minimal surface area patterns (Soap bubbles)

Stripes

Linear patterns often for survival. (Zebra stripes)

Tessellations

Repeating shapes with no gaps.

Cracks

Lines formed to relieve stress in materials.

Sequence

An ordered list of numbers following a rule.

Fibonacci Sequence

Series: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34... Rule: Next term = sum of the two previous terms.

Patterns

Every 3rd term is a multiple of 2. Every 4th term is a multiple of 3. Every 5th term is a multiple of 5.

Examples of rules

Multiplying by a constant → (e.g., 1, 10, 100...) Adding an increasing difference → (e.g., 2, 5, 9, 14...)