Li: Dynamic Form in Nature

Wooden Books

by David G. Wade

David Wade has spent a lifetime gathering and organizing the extraordinary families of surface patterns that nature throws up at every scale. The study of these shapes―a subject virtually unknown in the West―was known in ancient China as Li and is the sister science to Feng Shui. In this unique and insightful book are sand and wave patterns, big-cat markings, bark and leaf designs, soap and marbling swirls, crystalline and rock forms, tree branching types, and many more of nature's dynamic, sometimes enigmatic designs. Li will appeal to scientists and artists, and has far-reaching applications in graphic design, architecture, and other visual forms and sciences.

Genres: Science, Art, Nature, Design

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

David Wade is an artist and architect, as well as the author of Pattern in Islamic Art (Overlook Press and Studio Vista, 1976); Geometric Patterns and Borders (Wildwood House and Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982); Crystal and Dragon: The Cosmic Dance of Symmetry and Chaos in Nature, Art and Consciousness (Destiny Books, 1993); Li: Dynamic Form in Nature (Walker & Company, 2003); and Symmetry: The Ordering Principle (Walker & Company, 2006).

He lives in Wales.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patterns in nature often repeat...this book looks at the 'simply' complex way this happens. It is amazing how you see certain patterns repeated throughout nature; this book challenges you to look even deeper so that you can start to see an almost Taoist 'foundation' to everything. Beautiful and very mysterious.

[Jill Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely drawings, irritating text.

[Silvio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just how beautiful is nature? And how amazing is Chinese aesthetics? I'm inspired to learn more about both.

[Charlie Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some quotations from the introduction:

Western science has always been interested in pattern, indeed pattern recognition can be seen as the very basis of science. But it is only in more recent times that the sort of quasi-symmetrical forms that are presented here have been considered worthy of serious investigation. This has involved a great extension of symmetry concepts and a moving away from rigid classicism.

Li are essentially dynamic formations, and as such can give the impression of a frozen moment, of a process caught at a particular instant of time, of the principle of energy engaging with that of form.

This slim little volume (58 pages) is a visual delight and food for much contemplation. It belongs on the shelf next to D'Arcy Thompson's "On Growth and Form", the Tao Te Ching, and (just for fun) Rupert Sheldrake's "Morphic Resonance".

[ElvenRaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

The images are quite nice and it's an interesting concept but the text feels kind of grandiose and self important while not actually giving much information. There are lots of titles in Latin and somewhat occult sounding allusions at the li patterns' significance.
The patterns themselves are loosely separated in groups which are ordered alphabetically. However, there is no further attempt at classification, and there are similar patterns in different groups. Animal patterns are not given much thought as they are all in a short appendix at the end.
I will be using the book as reference to create art and pretty much ignore the text entirely.

[Susan Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful images that are entrancing and stunning. Creation is amazing.

[Alec Gutteridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Li reflect the order and pattern in Nature [...] But it is not pattern thought of as something dead, like a mosaic: it is dynamic pattern as embodied in all things living, and in human relationships, and in the highest human values." -Joseph Needham
"The term 'Tao' refers to the vast and great; the term 'Li' includes the innumerable vein-like patterns included in the Tao. [...] Li is like a piece of thread with its strands, or like this basket. One strip goes this way, and the other goes that way. It is also like the grain in bamboo. On the straight it is of one kind and on the transverse it is of another kind. So also the mind possesses various principles..." -Chu Hsi

[Teo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2015.01.16–2015.01.16

Contents

Wade D (2003) Li - Dynamic Form in Nature

Introduction

01. Aggregation: the collocation of elements
02. Anfractuous: winding and turning forms
03. Angulated: formed with angles
04. Brancha: branching patterns
05. Brechia: breaking and separating
06. Cellular: basic organic arrangements
07. Concentra: propagation around centres
08. Contornare: physiographical configurations
09. Crackle: shrinkage patterns & crazing networks
10. Filices: fern-like formations
11. Fracture: cracks in elastic materials
12. Labyrinthine: natural maze patterns
13. Licheniform: lichen & lichen-like growth
14. Nubilous: cloud and cloud-like formations
15. Phyllotaxy: dynamic spirality
16. Polygonal: geometric quasi-regularity
17. Retiform: net-like formations
18. Rivas: river drainage systems
19. Ripples & Dunes: wind and current patterns in sand
20. Trigons: triangular formations
21. Variegatus: spots, speckles and scrawls
22. Vasculum: leaf vascular patterns
23. Vermiculate: worm-like arrangements
24. Viscous Maculae: release patterns

Addenda: Li in Animal Markings: cryptic, warning and disruptive markings
• Addenda Gatta
• Addenda Reptilia
• Addenda Amphibia
• Addenda Pisces
• Addenda Concha
• Addenda Mollusca

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of the Wooden books that I've read, but different strokes for different folks. Easily readable in one sitting. It looks at some of the kinds of patterns found in natural processes, and adds some thoughtful commentary.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating ideas on the basic make-up of everything in the universe recognised in patterns. Pity the subject matter isn't reflected in the style of writing - I would have like to have seeen a ore flowing and engaging form.