The Golden Ratio; Exploring the Universal Connections

As humans, we are curious by nature, and our curiosity has led us to discover some interesting knowledge about an immense variety of fields right here from our proprietary dirtball. As we delved deeper and deeper into different subjects, a pattern started appearing again and again, a concept that followed scientists and artists alike through every endeavor and wherever they looked. This omnipresent mathematical concept caused such intrigue that it was called the rhythm of the universe, the spiral of life, and nature’s secret code, but it is more commonly known as the Golden Ratio, derived from the Fibonacci sequence.??

Where did it come from??

The origins of the Fibonacci sequence can be traced all the way back to 200 BCE. Its first appearance was noticed in the field of literature, but it was later defined by the European mathematician Leobardo Fibonacci whose name this sequence inherited. Simply put, each number in the sequence is the sum of the two preceding numbers. So, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on.??

The Universal Snail?

One of the factors that contributed to the popularity of the Golden Ratio is the fact that it is present everywhere around us. Indeed, a multitude of plants grows leaves and seeds in the shape of a Fibonacci sequence. Pinecones, Pine leaves, and Sunflower Seeds, are but a few examples of natural manifestations of this sequence. Further, it is not limited to plants, even animals such as dolphins, snails, and nautilidae are also living specimens that bear features of the golden ratio. Even human beings are believed to have observable manifestations of the Fibonacci sequence. The proportions of the arms and torso, the arrangement of bones in our hands, and even the branching of patterns of blood vessels and nerves are believed to be related to the sequence.??

Further, the golden ratio has been used in the financial sector. In fact, many analysts believe that stock market trends are affected by the Fibonacci sequence, so much so that they devise their investment strategies around it. It is also used to estimate price-to-earnings ratios before making an executive decision. Moreover, news outlets utilize the golden spiral in their UI design to capture the reader’s attention as the page would be organized and easier to read through.?

Designing Perfection?

The field of art and design has been largely affected by the Golden Ratio, so much so that it is used to determine placements of elements in order to create aesthetically pleasing visuals and create balance in paintings, pictures, and illustrations. In the modern days, the field of UI/UX design largely uses this ratio to generate proportional layouts, much like a ruler to draw straight lines, the golden spiral is used to place elements of an illustration somewhat perfectly. Also, it even extends to the field of interior design and architecture to achieve harmonious structures and enticing environments. Some of the most famous structures built by civilizations long gone follow the golden ratio. The Greek Parthenon, the Egyptian Pyramids, and the Roman Colosseum to name a few showcase the ratio in different ways.??

Why does it matter? Well, it is believed that the Fibonacci sequence can actually elicit certain emotions within the onlooker. Since the golden ratio is a naturally occurring phenomenon, it has been found to evoke calmness and boost the focus of the viewers as arrangements made in accordance with it mirror the harmony and beauty found all around us.??

Additionally, research suggests that our human minds are wired to find symmetry and patterns attractive, and utilizing the golden ratio in order to achieve just that can make the observed object instinctively more appealing to the onlookers. In fact, this ratio even appears in our human body and faces, and it has been found that the closer an individual’s face is to the ratio, the more unanimously beautiful they are considered. Further, the golden ratio has been associated with divinity in many cultures, and this has further contributed to its representation throughout many pieces of art that hold cultural significance for some people. Ancient Greece, the Egyptian culture, and even the Medieval Catholic Church used this “divine ratio” in their creations. Consequently, this ratio’s propagation has also played a role in its use as a standard since it holds cultural and emotional significance for a wide array of individuals.??

Conclusion?

All in all, the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio remain some truly fascinating mathematical theories that could help us get one step closer to uncovering the secrets of the universe. Even though this is one of the most widely known mathematical concepts, there are others such as fractals that are equally as fascinating.??