Unity Through Geometry:  Cultural Connections Through Shapes and Patterns!

“Straight is the line of duty, and curved is the line of beauty.” Hasan Fathy

Greetings Geōmétrēs! Lines and curves are as dynamic as the world around us. Gear up, and grab your compass, and join me in a vibrant cross-cultural journey! A journey beyond shapes and angles with amazing designs waiting to be uncovered!

Heads up! Growing up with an engineering father sharpened my sense of geometry that made me notice it everywhere - in art, woven into traditions, and bursting with human creativity! He took me on a journey through time by exploring the architecture of various cultures! Thanks, Dad! You helped me believe that I can help my students delve into the intricate connections between geometry and the rich tapestry of cultures by exploring a variety of fascinating civilizations! 

Like the ancient Greeks, my gateway to cultural geometry was through geometric constructions. They believed the best way to prove a theorem was with just a compass and straightedge. However, the roots of geometry go back to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where it was essential for agriculture, architecture, astronomy, and trade. This historical context inspired Aristotle’s axiom, "There is nothing in the intellect which is not first in the senses," a concept later expanded by Montessori to emphasize the importance of hands-on learning.

In my class, my students venture to the golden gate of Islamic art, where geometry shines through breathtaking tessellated patterns. They examine the concepts of symmetry, proportion, and repetition, which guides them to see how geometry is both beautiful and meaningful. 

My students are frequently mesmerized by Gothic Architecture. Although it flourished in Europe, Gothic Architecture was inspired by Islamic pointed arches and geometric patterns. By inscribing regular polygons within circles, our class studies how Gothic structures use different shapes to determine the right proportions for their elements. It’s geometry at its finest!

When my students and I explore Celtic knotwork, we realize its stunning loops and twists symbolize the interconnectedness of life, nature, and spirituality. We study how these designs have journeyed through history and how they were influenced by Roman artistry and early Christian crafts. These designs are also found in various civilizations like Viking art, Chinese knots, and Islamic patterns. 

We extended our geometric explorations to many cultures. My students discover how people migrate and share their geometric discoveries through exploration and trade. For instance, the fusion of Byzantine patterns with Islamic art created breathtaking architecture, such as the famous Alhambra palace, blending cultures into singular works of beauty.

Geometry became a field with a spectrum of discoveries, a team sport, where everyone contributes to the masterpiece! Whenever we explore a new design, each student shares how it relates to them by bringing their stories and backgrounds to the table. And guess what? They get inspired and create their own unique designs! I'm always ready for the flood of questions about other designs or historical architectures.

Through these hands-on activities, they have dived into spatial relationships, properties of geometric figures, transformations, measurements, and deductive reasoning. This immersive experience helped them see the world through a geometric lens, allowing them to truly encounter geometry in their everyday lives. They met geometry! 

As we explore the world of geometry, we realize it’s about so much more than just equations and proofs. It's a powerful connector of human experiences! Geometry is a universal language filled with peace, unity, beauty, inclusion, and diverse perspectives. By combining our diverse backgrounds, we weave a rich tapestry that showcases the beauty of humanity.

So, let’s grab our compasses and shape our world - because in the grand adventure of geometry, every angle tells a story, and every shape brings us a little closer together!

Ola Elserwi

09.15.2024