Universal Principles of Design, Updated and Expanded Third Edition
by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler
083 Golden Ratio
A ratio within the elements of a form, such as height to width, approximating 0.618.
The golden ratio is commonly believed to be an aesthetically pleasing proportion, primarily due to its unique mathematical properties, prevalence in nature, and use in great artistic and architectural works. Pinecones, seashells, and the human body all exhibit the golden ratio. Piet Mondrian and Leonardo da Vinci commonly incorporated the golden ratio into their paintings. Stradivari utilized the golden ratio in the construction of his violins. The Parthenon, the Great Pyramid of Giza, Stonehenge, and the Chartres Cathedral all exhibit the golden ratio.1
Many manifestations of the golden ratio in early art and architecture were likely caused ...
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