HARROW ALUMINART
The Golden Mean
Interesting stuff about proportions
REFERENCES
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EXAMPLES
In Architecture
One of the more famous examples of early Greek architecture where the golden mean principles were used, is the Parthenon in Athens. In the Renaissance age, the principles known then as the Divine Proportion, were used in the design of the Notre Dame in Paris.
In Art
The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci, uses golden mean ratios.
The Human body
The width of each of your four front teeth, are in golden mean proportion to their adjacent teeth.
The length of your forearm measured from the inside of your elbow to the base of your hand at your wrist, is 1.618 times the length of your hand measured from the tip of your longest finger to your wrist.
In Architecture
One of the more famous examples of early Greek architecture where the golden mean principles were used, is the Parthenon in Athens. In the Renaissance age, the principles known then as the Divine Proportion, were used in the design of the Notre Dame in Paris.
In Art
The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci, uses golden mean ratios.
The Human body
The width of each of your four front teeth, are in golden mean proportion to their adjacent teeth.
The length of your forearm measured from the inside of your elbow to the base of your hand at your wrist, is 1.618 times the length of your hand measured from the tip of your longest finger to your wrist.
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The ratio of the length of the whole line (Blue) to the length of the larger line segment (Green)
is the same as
the ratio of the length of the larger line segment (Green) to the length of the smaller line segment (Red)
when
the length of the green line plus the length of the red line equals the length of the blue line.
is the same as
the ratio of the length of the larger line segment (Green) to the length of the smaller line segment (Red)
when
the length of the green line plus the length of the red line equals the length of the blue line.
RELEVANCE
What on earth has this got to do with candle holders and table lamps? The relevance has to do with what proportions are pleasing to us.
Some shapes, and room or building proportions, are more pleasing than others. The theory is that the secret to what the human eye finds pleasing, can be based on the existance of the golden mean proportion.
Studies of human faces, and what constitutes beauty are attributed to golden mean proportions.
Pleasing proportions have a timeless appeal. And that's why our products will suit any decorating style, from the traditional to contemporary.
What on earth has this got to do with candle holders and table lamps? The relevance has to do with what proportions are pleasing to us.
Some shapes, and room or building proportions, are more pleasing than others. The theory is that the secret to what the human eye finds pleasing, can be based on the existance of the golden mean proportion.
Studies of human faces, and what constitutes beauty are attributed to golden mean proportions.
Pleasing proportions have a timeless appeal. And that's why our products will suit any decorating style, from the traditional to contemporary.
THE ROOT 5 RECTANGLE
The design of the Parthenon incorporated the "root five rectangle". It's not the place to discuss geometry theory here, so please read the article by Julia Diggins. It's not complicated stuff, and is in storybook form.
For those who have an enquiring mind, the relationship between the square root of 5, and the golden mean is :
2 times 1.618 minus 1 = the square root of 5
The design of the Parthenon incorporated the "root five rectangle". It's not the place to discuss geometry theory here, so please read the article by Julia Diggins. It's not complicated stuff, and is in storybook form.
For those who have an enquiring mind, the relationship between the square root of 5, and the golden mean is :
2 times 1.618 minus 1 = the square root of 5
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THANKS
There are countless references on the Web to the Golden Mean, or the other names that it is known by. It would be impossible to acknowledge all the sources or references here.
There are countless references on the Web to the Golden Mean, or the other names that it is known by. It would be impossible to acknowledge all the sources or references here.
ORIGINS OF OUR STRANGE PRODUCT NAMES
The Parthenon was designed by Ictinus and Callicrates. The sculpture work was done by Phideas.
Eudoxus is credited with most of the geometry theory behind the golden mean. He studied at Plato's academy.
The Parthenon was designed by Ictinus and Callicrates. The sculpture work was done by Phideas.
Eudoxus is credited with most of the geometry theory behind the golden mean. He studied at Plato's academy.
Candle holders and Table lamps crafted from solid aluminium
Top of page
The Golden mean is also known by the Golden Section, the Golden Ratio, the Golden Number, the Divine Section, the Divine Proportion, and Phi.
Phi is pronounced as "Fi" as in fire. This is different to Pi, which relates to circles. Phi is about relationships of lines and shapes, and what is pleasing to the human eye.
Phi is pronounced as "Fi" as in fire. This is different to Pi, which relates to circles. Phi is about relationships of lines and shapes, and what is pleasing to the human eye.
Phi symbol
WHAT IS THIS RATIO?
The magic number is 1.618. This is the number known as Phi. It is simply the ratio of the line segments that results when a line is divided in a special way.
The magic number is 1.618. This is the number known as Phi. It is simply the ratio of the line segments that results when a line is divided in a special way.
1.618
GENERAL
This subject is huge. You can buy golden mean gauges, golden mean templates, phi related software, spiral pendants and other jewellery. All is for sale on the internet.
This subject is huge. You can buy golden mean gauges, golden mean templates, phi related software, spiral pendants and other jewellery. All is for sale on the internet.
There are articles linking the ratio to health, beauty, acoustics, music, and even to trying to attach some meaning to the organization of the universe.
If you are Googling, and numbers interest you, then a related subject is the Fibonacci series.
It is probably no coincidence that the dimensions of a standard credit card are almost exactly in golden mean proportions.
If you are Googling, and numbers interest you, then a related subject is the Fibonacci series.
It is probably no coincidence that the dimensions of a standard credit card are almost exactly in golden mean proportions.