Sacred Geometry: Deciphering the Code

For centuries, philosophers and scientists have tried to find order in our universe. In this fascinating volume, world-renowned expert Stephen Skinner shows how certain types of geometry and numbers are considered sacred because they codify the hidden order behind creation. He reveals how ancient cultures identified repeating patterns and harmoniously proportioned shapes found in nature as evidence of gods at work and thus deemed them sacred. These concepts have since inspired everything from architecture to art. Begin by investigating geometric arithmetic. Pythagoras and Euclid, whose work forms the basis of all sacred geometry, are introduced. Euclid saw the perfection of this type of math as a reflection of the creator’s mind. The value of fractions, the curious nature of prime numbers, and more are also analyzed. Explore the most basic figures, such as curves and spirals, and ponder three classic problems: the squaring of the circle, the duplication of the cube, and the trisection of an angle. Look at the geometry found in nature, especially in repeating growth patterns, and how it relates to the curves and spirals described earlier. Take the soft-bodied nautilus as an example. Constricted inside a rigid shell and unable to grow bigger like mammals, it builds new and larger shell chambers around itself in logarithmic spirals. Consider the strict mathematical relationships between such ancient sites as Stonehenge and astronomical observations, and between the orbits of the different planets. Finally, compare the ways in which different cultures have used sacred geometry to create both ancient and modern structures, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Sydney Opera House. You'll see how many houses of worship have been designed based on the theory of perspective. When the building is harmoniously proportioned, situated on the right spot, and facing in the proper direction, the space is pleasing for the god to dwell in and is thus sacred. Perspective also plays a role in art, such as in Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper where the lines of the ceiling, walls, and windows converge dramatically on a point on Christ's head. This remarkable guide will change your view of the world around you.