MORE SYMMETRY

On my past entry, I introduced three types of symmetry; bilateral symmetry, rotation and reflection symmetry and cylindrical symmetry. On this entry, I will talk about four more types which are basic on architecture, and these are: chiral symmetry, similarity symmetry, spiral symmetry and translational symmetry. 

Chiral Symmetry:

Chiral symmetry is a type of symmetry frequently used in architecture that are two pieces which are completely identical to each other and are mirror images of one another. The purpose of using this type of symmetry in architecture is to emphasize the central element of the composition, and what better way to emphasize it than doing two identical copies of it? There are many examples of this kind of architecture specially in Europe, in places like Puerta de Europa, where you can see two parallel buildings that are a copy of each other, as shown in the picture below. 

"Puerta de Europa"Madrid, Spain.

Similarity Symmetry:

Similarity symmetry is a really interesting but "hidden" kind of symmetry, because we wouldn't imagine it is a kind of symmetry. It is found when elements with the same shape are repeated constantly but their size and scale vary, they often form together a geometric shape, but their positions and inclination vary at the time they are put together. An easy example to visualize this, is on the layers of the pagoda's roof, where the same shape is repeated all over again but its shape gets smaller as they reach the top of the pagoda. 

Pagodas in Japan

Spiral Symmetry:

Spiral symmetry is like a type of Similarity Symmetry, because as well as in Similarity Symmetry, the aim of Spiral Symmetry is to express continuity of space, and a way to put it all together and connect it. Helixes and spirals are both used for this type of symmetry, like for example in a spiral staircases.

Spiral staircases

Translational Symmetry:

Translational Symmetry is the most frequently used form of symmetry after the bilateral symmetry (which I talked about on my previous entry). It is when elements, which are often the same, are translated in one or sometimes two directions. Or it can be the repetition of entire buildings aimed to emphasize. This type of symmetry can be seen on the arches of an aqueduct, which are all the same size, going on a same direction on a stonewall. 

Sketch of "Della Torre Spoleto" Roman Aqueduct.

Arches of an aqueduct