What do we see when we look around us?: Patterns

Throughout history, people have framed their design and knowledge in patterns that are easy to memorise and repeat. Before the advent of "symbol literacy" (language and mathematics), traditional cultures used patterms to record information. The left side of the brain corresponds with symbol literacy, whereas the right side being holistic and involved with rhythm, colour and shape, is associated with pattern literacy. Bill Mollison has developed a "Tree Model" which provides a unifying structure for eight recognisable pattern categories, eg waves, streamline,spirals, branches. The author goes on to illustrate how an understanding of these patterns can be applied as in permaculture design.