Radial symmetry

1. Radial Symmetry
in Art, Math, and
Science

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

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

7. Human-Made Objects

8. 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.

9. Snowflakes are natural examples
of radial symmetry.

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

12. Kangaroos

13. Zebras

14. mendi

Radial symmetry designs may be round.

15. Or they may have a square frame.

16. Images
seen in a
kaleidoscope
have
radial
symmetry.

17. 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.

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

19. Student Work

20. Student Work

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

22. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

23. The front entrance to
Notre Dame has a rose window.

24. 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?

25. Chartres Cathedral,
another Medieval
cathedral in France

26. Chartres Cathedral

27. 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.

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

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

30. Rebecca
5
th
grade

31. Hayley
5
th
Grade

32. Kelly Daughtry

33. Megan Lewis

34. Hayley McClaine

35. Destiny Grant

36. Jenny Gilbert

37. 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.