The Paisley Pattern & the Golden Meme

Phi shells served up on a modern paisley fabric (sourced here).
Geometry: 2024, DS.

"meme - n. a unit of practice or belief through which a society or culture evolves and that passes from one generation (or even one person) to the next. In this sense, the term — coined in 1976 by British  biologist Richard Dawkins (1941–  ) and derived from the Greek word for “imitation”— is a kind of metaphorical parallel to the term gene."

-  An interesting definition of "meme" found in the online American Psychological Association's Dictionary. As a "metaphorical" gene, in lieu of its lack of actual physicality, we can expect a meme to operate in a manner similar to the gene: subconsciously and/or subliminally. Unlike the gene, it is transferred from one mind to the other... often in the form of a symbol, although not necessarily a visual symbol.

The images posted above, and inset right, and inset left and right below are the result of a new 2-dimensional toy I developed last year and introduced in The Universe in a Phi Shell: phi shells. I can't remember what inspired me to make phi spirals into phi shells, but it was probably pretty elementary. However, once I saw the effect the shells produced on some images, I was astounded. In so many cases the phi shell was like an envelope - die-cut to fit a golden spiral - or a custom-made template... with maybe a little wiggle room.

Sometimes, working with a phi shell leads to repositioning the original spiral. Inset right is a prime example: Boy Blowing Soap Bubbles by 17th century Dutch painter (and Bentvueghel), Karel Dujardin. (See the post for the former spirals.) As concise as this spiral appears, it could be larger and better... but, As we see time and time again, some portion of the necessary image area is missing. What sold me on the orientation of this spiral, however, is the way the boy's right arm - holding the bubble pipe - falls so neatly into the small triangle. It's as if the boy is drawing the spiral in the air.

"Proponents theorize that memes are a viral phenomenon that may evolve by natural selection in a manner analogous to that of biological evolution. Memes do this through the processes of variation, mutation, competition, and inheritance, each of which influences a meme's reproductive success. Memes spread through the behavior that they generate in their hosts. Memes that propagate less prolifically may become extinct, while others may survive, spread, and (for better or for worse) mutate. Memes that replicate most effectively enjoy more success, and some may replicate effectively even when they prove to be detrimental to the welfare of their hosts."

- A cautionary quote from the Wiki entry for "meme," and one that might make a certain amount of sense to those acquainted with what I've come to refer to as the "Golden Meme." I could even go so far as to says this might be reflected in my own experience... including the "detrimental to their hosts" bit, but, I try not to entertain fantastical innuendos that accelerate my level of paranoia.

"When Pacioli (the Renaissance mathematician) wrote in his Divina Proportione: '.. just like God cannot be properly defined, nor can be understood through words, likewise this proportion of ours cannot ever be designated through intelligible numbers, nor can it be expressed through any rational quantity, but always remains occult and secret, and is called irrational by the mathematicians'... he seemed to be equating the golden ratio with a variety of magical formula. That is, through his recognition and understanding of "this proportion of ours" he was attempting a marriage between several disciplines: science, art and mysticism. And, this wasn't unusual for the early Western scientists, many who dabbled in astrology, numerology and alchemy side by side with astronomy, mathematics, botany... and the arts. The scientific field was wide open - the hard lines were still blurred...

The "new scientists" were seeking enlightenment, autonomy, discovery, truth. And, it was into this slowly reawakening world that the pentagonal spiral made its appearance... and not necessarily for the first time. Similar to the sign of the pentagram - by which the followers of Pythagoras "knew each other" - perhaps, the "sign" of the pentagonal spiral enabled the Baroque artists to identify like-minded artists... kindred spirits in a world in which freedom did not, yet, ring."

"Keep in mind that the spiral was also present in Baroque ornamentation... and possibly somewhere in Baroque music, too.  So, were the artists, artisans, and musicians completely aware of its proportions and using it as a measure of perfection and beauty? Or, was the proliferation of golden spirals (at that time) an almost paranormal thing... or a variety of subliminal meme... an unconsciously recognized icon which was possibly a symbolic presentiment on the part of an artistic community who were, without noticing it, heralding an evolutionary phase of a whole society?"

A Baroque flourish (w/ phi shells). G-DS-2024.

- Two quotes via my blogpost: The Gentilischi Spirals and a Series Afterword. One painting appearing in that post is the image reposted (inset right) above the flourish: Orazio Gentileschi's Young Woman with a Violin. It's phi shell is looser than the original spiral I gave it, which, resting on her lap like a humongous sea shell, gives the image a somewhat comical appeal... but the spiral and triangle intercepts the young woman's bow perfectly, so, we have to admire its cleverness.

The flower painting, inset left, above her, however, was the work of Dutch Baroque artist, Willem Van Aelst and can be found in Part III of the Bentvueghel series, where we become acquainted with the curious appearance of the garden snail in flower paintings. And, really, if the Dutch flower painters used the snail as a clue indicating that a larger spiral was deliberately embedded in their paintings, well, all I can say is, what a brilliant idea!

Directly above is a portion of a Baroque ornament recently found (now decorated with phi shells). Not all Baroque flourishes were as golden as this one, but, considering the quantity of spirals appearing on furniture, architecture and textiles, the golden meme was alive and well.

***

For the past few years, I've spent a lot of quality time pondering the meaning of the appearance of the pentagonal golden ratio in works of art, artifacts and in architecture. I can't say for sure why this is so anymore, but, once upon a time, there seemed to be a point. I had a plan. Nowadays, I have to ask myself, why in the world would anyone actually sit down and spend a great deal of quality time blogging about obscure topics to an evaporating audience while everything in the surrounding area (the world, that is) seems to be either rapidly going down the tubes, or up in flames?

And, this isn't the first time I've asked myself this question!

On the other hand, blogging about obscure topics to an evaporating audience - in view of the tubes and flames - presently encourages my survival. Perhaps, blogging is kind of a therapy after all. Or, perhaps, in an absurd world, doing nonsensical things in response to Armageddon is appropriate.

And, it is in this state of mind I will reveal my latest pentagonal phi epiphany... which just happens to regard a description I've used previously: subliminal meme. The kind of meme that just might slip into an image while the artist was totally unaware of it, as it did in 2012, when I created Metamorphosis Interrupted, reposted (inset left), with a phi shell that fits the unfortunate worm like a chrysalis! (See: A Virtual Can of Worms.) 

Generally speaking, the unconsciously produced spirals in the images referred to in the Worms post were not all that strong. However, the worm's proportions in Metamorphosis is very close to perfect. But, while I was aware that I was being very finicky about the shape of the worm's body while creating it, in reality, at the time of its creation, I had never even heard of the pentagonal golden spiral!

 

So, is this an indication of phi "on the brain"? Are our brains somehow wired to its aesthetic or does it go deeper than that? Is this why the ratio was referred to as "divine" - in that it is embedded so deeply in our consciousness we assume it is an outer force? Or, when we find it in organic life, is it merely the imprinted diagram of actual physical forces science is already aware of?

Or, taking into consideration the nature of a meme, can you actually "catch it" like the common cold?*

Speaking of brains, I was delighted to find an image of one that seamlessly fits into a phi shell (inset right). Of course, humans tend to have rounded skulls, so it should come as no total surprise. But, then again, the image is an illustration and not an MRI, so, this is an artistic interpretation (and a very nice one) by Hank Grebe.

I didn't notice this till I was adding my geometry "stamp" to the image, but what lies at (a very important) 3-cornered junction of the spiral nearest to the coil - technically, the apex of the smallest golden triangle (and its spiral) - is that notorious pine-cone-shaped brain element, the mysterious pineal gland or "third eye." Oddly enough, it is depicted here as another tiny golden triangle (click for enlargement.)

(Continued below the jump...)

So, in this post I'd like to formally introduce the possibility of a golden meme. The emphasis is on pentagonal phi, which seems to have had a much longer shelf-life and, possibly, a larger mythological footprint than its rectangular counterpart. But this meme, if it exists, is merely an offshoot of a larger, all-pervasive, pentagonal meme, which encompasses the entire spectrum of phenomena (and noumena) related to the geometrical reality of the number 5: the pentagon, the pentagram, the dodecahedron and, of course, the pentagonal spiral mechanism, with its iconic triangles, and dedicated circular elements and functions.

In some ways the phi spiral appears to be a natural manifestation, not so much in a strictly mathematical sense - absolute precision is not required for functionality in the natural world - but, as an iconic shape related to growth... especially in the plant kingdom. But, its shape and proportions can also be found in the human body... and - as we've seen in previous posts - floating around in deep space.

The example shown above, inset left, and, collectively, inset right is - I think - a successful combination of both natural and human-enhanced elegance. The shell is referred to as a Rose Conch, but it is, as we might guess, a nautilus. I think I read somewhere that it's been stripped of its outer shell by artisans to reveal the arrangement of it's inner chambers. But, I seemed to have lost my original links and currently can find no clear descriptions of this item on the internet at all; so, I may be wrong. I'm not even sure it's an authentic sea shell and not entirely manufactured. But, it sure looks good inside a mint-green phi shell!

For photos and some information, see here.

But, while geometrical precision in nature is rare and viewed as miraculous, geometric precision in art is a kind of ritual magic, and whether the phi spiral is designed consciously or unconsciously, arises organically or inorganically, reproduces digitally or with burnt sticks, it leaves a distinct stamp, an iconic impression in the mind and psyche. Moreover, when we consider the numerous pentagonal emergences - from antiquity to the present day - there's undeniably a strong element of mythos throughout, although little is recorded and much of it lost in time or otherwise obscured. The dodecahedron is another pentagonal artifact and another category of the golden meme, and the general mystery - and numerous theories - surrounding the Roman-Gallo dodecahedrons (inset left) is a prime example of the sort of meme we're dealing with. Essentially, it fulfills Dawkin's definition of a meme: a unit of practice or belief through which a society or culture evolves and that passes from one generation (or even one person) to the next, with one difference: its presence and meaning are very often hidden, occulted... or lost in time.

The pentagram, for instance, is often used as a power symbol translating seamlessly into military and/or nationalistic applications, religious and/or esoteric applications, and as cornerstones for various creative applications. It is also our favorite depiction of a celestial star and a go-to symbol for commerce and branding. The spiral, on the other hand, is often used by artisans - as it is in decorative flourishes. Your next piece of jewelry may display a golden spiral, and you'd probably be none the wiser. While we may notice its attractive tear-drop or egg-like perimeters, few will detect its mathematical significance... the ratio Pacioli referred to as "divine."

So, the ways and means in which the golden meme infiltrates our consciousness are as many and diverse as it's pentagonal artifacts. The golden spiral, however, its most celebrated artifact, can be found (and/or embedded) in some surprising places; in this case: a very antiquated textile design and "iconic motif": the humble paisley!

 The Paisley Pattern and the Golden Meme

Green phi shell on a vintage 60s, color-modified paisley pattern
found on Amazon.com and here.
Geometry: 2024, DS.

"From its ancient Persian and Indian origins with its hidden messages and mysterious symbolism, the iconic motif has had quite a journey. The paisley pattern has travelled the silk routes from East to West, adorned the bandanas of cowboys and bikers, been adopted by the 19th Century boho set, been popularized by The Beatles, ushered in the hippy era and become an emblem of rock ‘n’ roll swagger and swank. And the Scottish city of Paisley, whose textiles history is intertwined with the famous print, is now bidding  to be  UK City of Culture for 2021.

So what is behind paisley’s incredible longevity? Its symbolic power has probably played a part. The original Persian droplet-like motif – the boteh or buta – is thought to have been a representation of a floral spray combined with a cypress tree, a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity. The seed-like shape is also thought to represent fertility, has connections with Hinduism, and also bears an intriguing resemblance to the famous yin-yang symbol. It is still a hugely popular motif in Iran and South and Central Asian countries and is woven using silver and gold threads on to silks and fine wools for weddings and other celebrations.

The rich symbolism and rebellious aura that surround paisley have kept it alive, it seems. But perhaps the real secret to the print’s immortality is how it combines conformity with unruliness, how it blends its rich historicism with a powerful adaptability, and how it is open to endless and unexpected re-invigoration and re-interpretation."

- A  selection from the excellent 2017 BBC article: Paisley: The story of a classic bohemian print by Lindsay Baker. The early paisley pattern, shown inset right above, was sourced here.

"Ancient Babylon in present day Iraq is claimed to be one place of origin of the paisley form, possibly dating back to 1700BCE. Another opinion, expressed by Sam Willis in the 2016 BBC TV series The Silk Road, is that the symbol originated from the city of Yazd in Iran. In Yazd originates the weaving of the traditional fabric called a termeh, a cloth made of silk and wool which often included the paisley (boteh) form. Another common theory is that it originated in Persia 200-650 AD during the rule of the Sassanians who created an empire who's armies kept the Romans at bay for centuries.

...One of the nicknames for paisley shapes since the 18th century, especially by American quilt makers, was “Persian pickles”.

The symbol can be best described as a similar shape to a curving teardrop or a kidney. The symbol was called boteh (the Persian word for shrub or cluster of leaves) which is visually a combination of a spray of floral elements and a cypress tree. Centuries later the shape was called Buta almond or bud. The Buta shape is the national symbol of Azerbaijan to this day, it symbolizes fire and is most commonly seen on their bright intricate woven carpets and rugs."

- Via the history page of an excellent paisley website created by paisley artist, Patrick Moriarty. Here's a bit of additional information that might interest us found at this source (my emphasis): "The paisley pattern designs used for the shawls continued to be used as examples of technical visual perfection. Detailed hand-drawn colour plans on paper from 1840's and 1850's were used as visual aids to assist the teaching of design students on a variety of courses at Glasgow School of Art from 1920's to late 1940's." In other words, a meme can be taught. In this case, consciously, a paisley meme... while, at the same time, unconsciously - and very possibly- a phi meme. 

"The design travelled to Europe in the eighteenth century and its spiritual connotations instantly charmed those on the continent. Imitations proliferated in the town of Paisley, Scotland, resulting in the pattern’s contemporary moniker. The design was adopted by William Morris, becoming an integral part of the Arts and Crafts movement, and evolved from those bohemian roots into the Eastern-obsessed countercultural aesthetic of the 1960s."

-  Via  another excellent article: Prints and the Evolution: The Story of Paisley, From Ancient to Modern by Anoushka Khandwala. The image inset right of a William Morris rug was also sourced there.

"Evolution" is often a term used in paisley descriptions and it's an apt one. It is also apt in any discussion of the appearance of phi in art.

If you're looking for sheer beauty in a paisley pattern, see the first image presented on the page: the Chandar (or Moon Shawl) from Kashmir, circa 1825.

***

While the paisley meme and the golden meme are not identical, I think there's an argument that they are related and possibly co-conspirators! They have much in common: a long history, a mythos and a geometrical similarity. While not every paisley pattern reflects phi, one might say every paisley pattern does intimate it. The seed is sown. Coincidentally, the paisley pattern is sometimes interpreted as a seed...  a mango seed... or some other representation of a mango plant. It is also referred to as a fertility symbol... and a symbol related to the ancient Zoroastrian religion which existed in the Iranian Avestan period.

So, the paisley pattern has a long history. Once again, as in the case of pentagonal phi, a somewhat mysterious history - especially for western minds. Importantly, it's time frame also reflects phi's origins, especially those related to the goddess Aphrodite, who is often said to have evolved from ancient Near Eastern goddesses, Ishtar and Inanna. Note the phi spiral evident in the Syrian Aphrodite image inset left, above. I believe its an old engraving of a statue. Coincidence?

Or, perhaps we might glance at a cathedral window. Now, one finds pentagonal artifacts in cathedral windows every now and then. However, the window inset right featuring a five-fold paisley "rose," with a line of 3 phi triangles beneath it, was quite an exciting find for me. It is a feature found on Milan's great cathedral. While the cathedral was not completed until 1965, and the window may not be of great age, it's image is iconic and profound for a spiral hunter! What a beautiful window! Then again, if one wants to see an ancient paisley, here's a colorful example sourced from Patrick Moriarty's site posted directly below: an Iron Age Celtic vessel which also has a Wiki entry.

The roundels featured on this ancient item, are created with a
 combination of spiraling paisley-shapes and lunes!

Anyway, the paisley has made a number of varied appearances over the centuries... and we can say it has, indeed, evolved. One of its key appearances was in 19th century Scotland, where it acquired its name. Visit the town of Paisley. Also, see this 2019 Guardian article: ‘Paisley from Paisley’ enjoys resurgence with help from Hermès.

Another key paisley appearance was made world-wide in the 1960's, when influential musicians - the Beatles, Stones and Bowie (inset left) - established it as a counter-cultural and psychedelic symbol. There have been, in fact, a number of musicians from later periods - Prince! - who also contributed to the paisley meme. For more fun and photographs, try here, here, or here. Also see: the Paisley Underground bands.

And that's about it from me this time around. I started this post late last year, and then somehow lost the thread when Venus/Aphrodite entered the phi frame. Now, Venus/Aphrodite rules a major golden meme mystery, while the paisley's exact relationship to phi has yet to be determined. But, it certainly is entertaining and an entertaining offshoot of the phi journey. Importantly, if you want to spread a meme, textile design is the way to go!

But, before I sign off, I'd like to take the time to thank all the paisley historians and paisley artists out there who, unwittingly, made this article possible. Thank you, you're all fabulous!

And, while it has just become technically the day after: a belated Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

(For more information regarding the remarkable paisley, see here, and here.)

Another exotic border pattern on a handbag from India.
I've done a search for this double-phi shaped symbol but can't locate or identify it.
G-DS-24.

(Apparently) how some memes reproduce. ;-)  G-DS-2024.

_______________________________________________

High-Wire, 2023, BD Dodson. Geometry: 2024, DS. 

* Re: catching the meme "like a common cold." Regarding the golden meme, I am here to report that I may seen some evidence of this in the work of my friend (and yours), BG Dodson. It took awhile before I was able to test for a spiral in his monoprint High Wire - although the phi triangle was evident - but, once the spiral was verified I arrived at a new conundrum. How could I casually mention his spiral to him before he actually mentions it to me? Did he design it deliberately, or is this spiral one of those happy (unconscious) accidents? I had to know.

So, I immediately emailed him an image and waited for his reply.

He never knew what hit him!

Now, as you might be aware of, BG is a consistent visitor to this blog, and has witnessed my own personal phi journey develop from day 1. If anyone was ripe for a benignly infectious phi meme, it would be Bob! But, he never even suspected the spiral existed in this image till I pointed it out to him! He didn't even notice his silhouetted figure seamlessly fits into a golden triangle - all points lead to phi!! Nor did he realize that the circle he placed in the background was in a perfect relationship to his triangulated figure to enable the spiral to emerge.

Anyway, if you're an artist who may have experienced this phenomenon after visiting this blog - study those images from your recent past for signs of potential spirals -  and, unless you've deliberately embedded the spirals, in the interests of science, set them aside or let me know... for the record. I may be doing kind of survey in the near (or far) future!