Sacred Geometry: Philosophy and Practice

by Robert Lawlor

An introduction to the geometry which, as modern science now confirms, underlies the structure of the universe. The thinkers of ancient Egypt, Greece and India recognized that numbers governed much of what they saw in their world and hence provided an approach to its divine creator. Robert Lawlor sets out the system that determines the dimension and the form of both man-made and natural structures, from Gothic cathedrals to flowers, from music to the human body. By also involving the reader in practical experiments, he leads with ease from simple principles to a grasp of the logarithmic spiral, the Golden Proportion, the squaring of the circle and other ubiquitous ratios and proportions.

Art and Imagination : These large-format, gloriously-illustrated paperbacks cover Eastern and Western religion and philosophy, including myth and magic, alchemy and astrology. The distinguished authors bring a wealth of knowledge, visionary thinking and accessible writing to each intriguing subject. 202 illustrations and diagrams, 56 in two colors

Genres: Philosophy, Science, Spirituality, Art, Nonfiction, Design, Geometry

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, so densely packed with information that I can only nibble a little bit at a time. A while back, the vesica. Some time ago, the derivation of platonic solids. Recently, the divine proportion and the really mind blowing concept the greeks took from it, that a truer perception of the world is not subject/object, but relationship. Still applying this one to my reality and getting great results.

This book is full of exercises to help you derive these forms for yourself, which is indispensable to understanding them.

A key text for the self taught mystery school student!

update: I find the language in this unnecessarily complex, so minus one star. I am not aware of an alternative, though. Definitely I would read Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe first.

I also feel I now have a better understanding of what sacred geometry is about, at least to me. It starts with the very real, the concrete, lines on paper, shapes in nature. And very quickly it moves into the archetypal. These shapes have their characteristics because of the fundamental nature of our space-time. So by working with and thinking about them, you are tapping into the primal forces that structure our reality.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only get one book on sacred geometry, this is it.

It's actually more of a workbook than a textbook. There are lots of drawings and examples.

I recommend it so strongly because there are activities you can do. Doing the processes and solving the problems with pencil, paper, compass and square is the experience of the philosophers who valued this study so much.

[Alan-Without-Poe]

I was in this idea of alternate between one fictional book to a one of nonfiction. But, this book made me break that rule. Never before a book had speak so clear and loud to my inner geek as this have done.

"Our visual sense differs from our sense of touch only because the nerves of the retina are not tuned to the same range of frequencies as are the nerves embedded in our skin. If our tactile or haptic sensibilities were responsive to the same frequencies as our eyes, then all material objects would be perceived to be as ethereal as pro- jections oflight and shadow. Our different perceptual faculties such as sight, hearing, touch and smell are a result then of various proportioned reductions of one vast spectrum of vibratory frequencies. We can understand these proportional relation- ships as a sort of geometry of perception."

You see?

[Gavin White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to sacred geometry. This book was the first to get me interested in the practice of geometry. There are quite a few new glossy books out there on the subject but this one has stood the test of time. That's partly because it is more of a workbook than a straight read. This forces the reader to get their compass and ruler out and start constructing the forms for themselves. I found that this, rather than any amount of reading, is what inculcated the basic principles of the geometric art into me to the point at which I can now proceed in my own way making all sorts of 3-D models from metallic card and acetate.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading and working through this book. A fantastic way to introduce yourself to some amazing concepts. If you're already familiar with sacred geometry this will actually teach you to draw it out which helps the information to...take shape? ;) Getting into the nitty gritty of drawing out the shapes was tedious but worth it.

Even if you aren't into the metaphysical aspects of the book I think this would be a fabulous read for artists of all sorts. It helps to train your eye to recognize proportions inherent in nature - fascinating AND useful.

I have not come across another resource that was as clear and easy to follow regarding sacred geometry.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction to sacred geometry by anthropologist and esotericist Robert Lawlor. It is organized like a workbook and acts as a step-by-step guide, introducing mathematical concepts and philosophy side by side. It's the most complete and user friendly introductory text on the subject I've found, plus the illustrations are positively ecstatic!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, now my brain hurts.

In all reality, though, this was very interesting. I think I’m too dumb to understand a lot of it, but the philosophical application sections were particularly thought provoking.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doing practice math problems isn't for everyone, but I loved it. History, Math, and Art all described as one.

[Clivemichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of information. I was unable to digest it all in one read.

[Morella Montresor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a worth reading, one does not have to be a learned math student, just basics are needed. Also it involves on speculative reality and occult matters, it gives a general view of symbolism of reality, the matrix, synchronicity, and a bit about the harmony of the spheres. One gets to understand a bit more in detail of agnosticism, templar symbols and representations, among other practices, it also explain how early technologies achieved the mathematical correspondence in relation to the environment. This book also explains the Golden ratio, fractal and mandalaian symbols, if you are looking towards a better understanding of music and architecture this is a good source, and could also skip a few paragraphs.

[Haya Hasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read. Its kinda hard for someone who lacks mathematical and scientific knowledge and principles but its worth reading and learning from it. It was my first book to finish (fairly short book) , and it changed the way of how i look at things in the physical world, religion, arts, and nature, it also made me gain perspective on the correlation between metaphysics and the human psyche. For the first time, one could philosophically argue the existence of a metaphysical realm by providing ancient mathematical concepts that are superficially used in modern mathematics.

[Victoria Belue · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone like me who is constantly curious about the "big picture" of how our elegant system of the macro and micro are interrelated, this book explained some basic concepts of geometry and music to me which, I know may sound boring or not relatable, brought a couple of huge "aha" moments. Everything we are and everything around us is interconnected and understanding, even in a rudimentary fashion, these concepts helps me see a much grander and exquisite picture.

[豆儿 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had to read this kind of niche book to understand what the fuck happened to you, you probably fucked around and found out a bit too hard :/

Skimming through this and thinking about Anton Levay when he was asked in an interview his thoughts on black vs. White magic. He laughed and in his typical snarky way said no difference all magic come from the same place 🤔

Meditating on John 8:32 this morning while thinking through all of this.

[DNS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I'm brainy enough to understand this but there are some interesting facts about Fibonacci sequence and sacred geometry of Nature.

"Pythagoras, however, taught that the experience of life in a finite, limited body was specifically for the purpose of discovering and manifesting supernatural existence within finite"

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacred Geometry is everything I love about math—observation and tracking of patterns and proportions that build into a cohesive worldview encompassing the entire cosmos and the Divine Power behind it; the perfect blending of spiritual, philosophical, and physical. Click below for more thoughts.

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[Truls Ljungström · Rating 2 out of 5]

Detta var mer en arbetsbok i geometrisk ritning samman med lösryckta påståenden än något slags genomgång av pythagoreisk nummermystik eller ens av gotisk arkitektonisk teologi. Jag är besviken.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book on sacred Geometry, good histocial bases.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

-the division of unity: all form is derived from a singular cell, circle, one, then splits in two, three, four
-vesica piscis: heaven and earth joined together
-alternation:
-rational and irrational numbers: rational = whole numbers, irrational: decimals
-Euclidian geometry: taking axioms (statements assumed to be true) and deducing other theorems from these
-Golden Mean: a logarithmic spiral
-Fibonacci Sequence: two initial terms get added to next term
-philiotaxis: arrangement of leaves on a stem
-edible plants usually have flowers of 5, while poisonous ones have flowers of 6 or 7.
-gnomon: a figure when added to the original resembles the initial form in some way (scaling)
-Chladni plate: salt on bowed sheet metal experiment to show standing waves
-Icosahedron: shape with 20 sides
-Dodecahedron: 12 sides

[Aaron Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dense book and not for the faint of mathematical heart. Illuminating and insightful. It would be better titled, "Contemplative Geometry". There's very little "sacred" per se, at least from this Christian's viewpoint. The author has an appreciation for anyone who has thought about geometry, and that becomes a large distraction in the book. He wants so much to integrate that he integrates wildly contradicting religions. Well worth the read for any classicist or classically trained student.

[May Ling]

This book is amazingly short and simple. Yet, there is a beauty in what it describes and the pictures. A quick read through is helpful for remembering the manner in which geometric shapes correspond to one anther.

The illustrations are beautifully done. I can't give it more than 4 stars because I don't know that it's more than a coffee table/pass the time sort of piece.

[Edward F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it provides a great introduction to sacred geometry, and provides instruction on creating the well known patterns. I really enjoyed the information on the cathedral/church layout and design.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Wooden Book (I have about 10). Very, very interesting material in this tiny book. Will open even a tightly closed mind. It's beautiful and feels like visual poetry to me. I loved it.

[Peggy]

FASCINATING! Want to get into this more and more to help inspire my art!

[Jamie Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of scientific detail about the fact that all things extend from the pattern found within the flower of life, with the golden mean representing the greatest balance.

[Joshua Michael]

Excellent survey of SG History and practice!

[Paul Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great workbook for teenage geometry students. it gives real meaning to the subject through illustrations, story and myth, as well as addressing the math. beautiful book.

[Belle Meade School]

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