Symmetry, the Sweetness and the Art of Pollination

Calendula officinalis & Bee in Arizona 2021

Symmetry is something that we have some basis of understanding of what that is.  We may often see Symmetry in its geometric application on pieces of paper demanding for us to search for symmetry of a given object.  But why?  What application could this possibly have apart from this two-dimensional space?   We possibly could extend our thinking of symmetry as balance, or something that is the same on both sides.  When we walk out of our homes and offices, we could surely go out and observe in even the three-dimensional space, but how does this relate to a language of Nature that is often discussed over and over again?  
 
One sense of the word, according to Wikipedia, is that it is an “agreement of dimensions, due proportion, and arrangement”. It was profound to see the words agreement of dimension.  This definition resonated with me as it relates back to this language in Nature about an agreement of how things are created, an agreement of how they thrive, and an agreement with how they transition onto the next generation and season.  In Nature, we may often feel and think that to thrive is to compete in order to survive.  For most things, proportion and arrangement is agreed upon in order to maintain a balanced ecosystem for life.  In all these things and in all that time and space in between those defining moments of life, is also a beautifully intricate art form of pollination and growth.  When thinking about Symmetry, it is an art form that is agreed upon, but not necessarily always a competition, but an arrangement of understanding.  In that result, the art form thus produces the sweetness of life. 
 
Let us consider the bee, for example, as the pollinator.  It has taken thousands of generations of bees, more than that of course, to come up with the wisdom to decide which plants and trees to pollinate. As that transpired, there were subtle forms of communication transforming with the rest of the botanical world.  The result of that communication was an evolved arrangement of stigma, stamen, pistil, and petals, all in balance and all in symmetry. The symmetry of this arrangement is extremely important as, according to Du Sautoy, “…provides a way of animals (bees) and plants to convey a multitude of messages, from genetic superiority to nutritional information” (pg. 11).   Think of this as its own art form.  This presentation is more than just something beautiful to look at, but a form of a Mathematical language that is communicated between pollinator and plant.  Why?  Because those flowers who are symmetrical, produce the sweetest culinary experience for the bee.  “Symmetry tastes sweet” (Sautoy, pg. 12).  Over an extensive period of time, Symmetry as proved itself to be part of the sweetness and art of pollination.  
 
Many Blessings, 
 
Christina Grossman, MA, CA
www.sacredreminders.com 
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References: 
 
Du Sautoy, M. (2008).  Symmetry. (pgs. 11-12). Harper Collins Publishers.  
 
Wikipedia. (2021, February 13).  Symmetry. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symmetry#cite_note-1