Fractal Nature: The Unifying Patterns and Sacred Geometry of Life

Explore The Unifying Fractal Patterns of Nature

Nature grows in fractal patterns and the fractal structures of ecosystems and geographical formations can be observed from outer space using satellites. Fractals are everywhere!

Placeholder Image

Fractals Are Key To
The Language of Nature

Mathematics is the language of nature. Learn to recognize the fractal patterns that are all around you in the design of nature.

1. Rivers

The flow of rivers takes on a fractal structure that can be observed from satellites. Pictured here is the Ganges River Delta in India, which is home to the world's largest mangrove forest known as the Sunderbans.

Placeholder Image
Placeholder Image

2. Mountains

Many mountain ranges have been carved by the forces of nature over millions of years. The flow of glaciers and water has fundamentally shaped these mountains in Western Canada.

3. Coastlines

The coastlines of the world exhibit a jagged, fractal structure that has been eroded by centuries of crashing waves. Here you see the rocky coastline near Hautulco, Mexico.

Placeholder Image

4. Trees

Seeing the forest for the trees involves the deeper holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems. Trees exhibit a fractal structure in a number of ways: in their branches, leaves and root systems.

Placeholder Image

5. Plants

The leaves and root system of plants exhibit a fractal structure in how they grow from light from the sun. Here you have a spectacular example of fractal structure with the Romanesco Broccoli from Italy.

Placeholder Image

6. Mycelium

What's being called the Earth's Internet and the Wood Wide Web is an interconnected web of fungi mycelium that grows in symbiotic mycorrhizal relationship with tree and plant root system in a relationship in a seemingly infinite number of directions.

Placeholder Image

7. DNA

At the microscopic level, our DNA exhibits a fractal structure and while it can be preserved in images like this one, it actually exists in a constant motion and flow as it wraps new information in its signature double helix spiral of life.

Placeholder Image

8. Galaxies

As above, so below. At the microscopic level the properties of atoms exhibit fractality and at the macroscopic level the Milky Way Galaxy exhibits a similar fractal structure, as do solar systems and possibly even the entire fabric of the Universe.

Placeholder Image

9. Pi

Pi is a sacred number. In reality it is the basis of Everything because everything is composed of cycles that spin, orbit or rotate. It is a number that goes on forever, never repeating itself, ad infinitum. Pi goes to infinity, and has never been calculated with finality because it is impossible.

Placeholder Image

10. The Golden Ratio

Pi and other fractal structures can be represented by the golden ratio. Within this infinite stream of never repeating numbers lies the Big Bang and the meaning of life, the programming code for DNA and the Fibonacci sequence, an archetypal growth pattern visible in seeds, flowers, petals, pine cones, fruit and vegetables.

Placeholder Image

Educational Nature Guides

Learn about eco-mindfulness, nature therapy, nature connection experiences, the kingdom of fungi and the importance of rewilding the forests of Planet Earth.

Browse The Guides