Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
– William Blake
The Tiger is a beauty beyond belief. And together with the lines of this well known poem, they are the first things I associate with the word ”symmetry”. The photo was taken at Nordens Ark, Sweden. Nordens Ark has participated or is currently taking part in re-population projects, to release animals born at the facility into the wild.
Sofia is our host this week, and her theme is Symmetry. She reminds us that symmetry is everywhere – if you look for it. Symmetry is an important composition tool in all kinds of art. Photography, painting, sculpture – and in fact, I believe it is essential for all our senses to reach harmony. Please visit her beautiful blog for more inspiration. Tag your own post Lens-Artists and link to Sofia’s original post!
I will continue to randomly associate and ponder the concept… I realise that naturally there is no such thing as perfect symmetry, but I also thought about how for example religious buildings like churches, mosques and cathedrals meticulously use symmetry for harmony (in the congregation?). Or at least I guess that is one of the reasons for their architectural style.
Naturally doors and windows are often symmetrical – double doors in particular. They are also very popular with tourist photographers. (Thursday Doors?)
Two pictures in harmony with each other – and still so different. I found both in Prague, and to me, the first one represents human efforts to master and to reach Nature’s grandeur. The butterflies have been sorted and set behind glass in an attempt to make the composition symmetrical. A living butterfly is seemingly symmetrical, but the framed, manmade result could never compete with nature itself. I am happy to point out that we have abandoned killing butterflies and piercing them with needles – we photograph them instead.
The church ceiling is interesting in that the painters have used very irregular areas to decorate, but still arrive at a sense of symmetry. Difficult but clever.
Wine barrels in Porto – a special symmetry – maybe not perfect, but nicely done. Just don’t get them rolling…
Water and mirrors invite to beautiful symmetry. Yesterday morning’s outing gave these two – asymmetric symmetry? I believe most of us never get tired of reflections.
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.”
– William Shakespeare
And, I don’t know about you, but somehow I look for – and use – both symmetry and asymmetri in the same image. Why? Maybe the answer is that they need one another to enhance each other.
Last week, John’s challenge gave us a chance to share billboards and signs from around the world and I hope they made you smile just as many times as they did me. Thank you all for a great, smiling week!
Next week, Donna is our host. And to follow Symmetry – we’ll have Asymmetry. Please visit Donna’s site for inspiration! Hope to see you then!
Leya 
Beautiful clicks.
Love the fireworks.
I am glad you liked them, thank you.
You are welcome, AC.
Wonderful Symmetry post, both photos and words! I like the door with pink diamonds or rhombus with crests… and your introduction was amazing! I love that William Blake poem so much, I dedicated a special post for it last year, being born in a Tiger year, your post reminded me of it. I hope it is ok if I share it here too, I can’t help it 😀 https://doarnicol.wordpress.com/2022/02/20/year-of-the-tiger-snowdrops/
Thank you, Nicole – and thank you for your own Tyger! Beautifully done.
Great examples of symmetry. Love your selection.
Thank you, Ana!
Beautiful gallery. Like others I’ve seen, I am enjoying your architecture photos
Architecture lends itself beautifully to this challenge I think. So many great posts!
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Nice work, AC! I especially love architectural symmetry and you have some great examples. That tiger takes a gorgeous portrait! I’m not sure how you got that image without any fences or protective devices in the way. 🙂
No fences there – the tigers have a gorge to pass… I too love architectural symmetry, but I agree about the tiger.
Cool! My visit to the tiger rescue in NC was hampered for photography by two layers of chain link fencing.
The usual thing!
Beautiful shots…especially like the tiger and wine barrels. Well done 🙂
Thank you!
Oh that sweet tiger!! I love hearing about re-population projects, but this one feels like it should be a pet. I loved all your photos and the info that came with them. I especially loved the pink double doors. and the wine barrels. Grand symmetry. Stunning photos.
Thank you, Donna – the barrels seem to be popular. The tiger is a beautiful animal, but I would not have it as a pet…
These are stunning photos for this week. I adore each of them 😀
Thank you, Cee!
That church is utterly amazing, Ann-Christine. And I love the wine barrels – as an image I mean! Great response tot he challenge – as usual.
Thank you, Jez – I love the wine too…not only the barrels!
Marvelous examples Ann-Christine. The tiger is so beautiful and I also especially liked the wine casks. Wish I’d thought of that!!
Thank you, Tina, the wine barrels seem popular! I love tigers and many of the big cats. Their spots and stripes are so symmetrical and eyecatching. Good for them in the jungle, not so good when all the trees are gone.
Lovely examples.
The church is a great use of an unusual shape to make a repeated pattern out of.
That’s a well fed tiger. The ones I see in the wild are very much leaner. It makes me wonder whether we overfeed animals in zoos.
Thank you – yes, the ceiling of that chuch was very special. And I guess tigers like in this breeding centre and zoos don’t have enough to do – just like humans they eat too much and move too little.
A lovely thoughtful post, Ann-Christine. The church shots are stunning, and who can resist the odd barrel? Probably better just a glass or two…?
Haha, yes I love the wine too, not just the barrels…
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A perfect post from start to finish. Your photos are beautiful and the sense of harmony given by their symmetry is there to be felt. No favourites this weeks because they all are…!
Thank you, Sofia – it is interesting to see every entry, what our readers come up with. A great challenge.
Wonderful examples of symmetry every one. I can’t pick a favourite here!
♥ You are too kind, Margaret.
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Thank you
I look for symmetry in all facets of my life . . . it seems to bring me the peace I need . . . I have a number of Moroccan friends who have familiarized me with the oft very ‘busy’ patterning in all the arts . . . all being symmetrical all presents as totally peaceful and beautiful. Here . . . hmm . . . I am walking down that aisle of wine kegs smiling . . .
Haha, a simple and good walk I am sure!
Wonderful images Ann-Christine! I loved them all both natural and man-made!
Thank you, Anne, I had fun putting them together.
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Ann-Christine, what wonderful photos you shared with us. I loved the opening photo of the tiger, but I gotta say that the church ceiling in Prague is my absolute favorite. Gorgeous work and photos!
Thank you, Egidio – that ceiling made me stand there for several minutes…
I really enjoyed your photos for this challenge Ann Christine. So many nice ones that I wanted to study more closely.
Thank you, Anne!
beautiful examples Leya. I love the shot of the barrels. Additionally, I did not think of the fireworks explosion as an item of symmetry so I really liked that shot. I enjoyed this post!
-Archer
Thank you, Archer, I am pleased you like it! The barrels are popular it seems. And fireworks do give a feeling of being symmetrical when they start…