'Nature likes simplicity, but it also likes to hide. It communicates with us through contradiction and paradox, but it is a universal language. And if we learn to speak the language of symmetry, then new worlds could be ours to discover.'  From The Language of Symmetry, Rattigan, Noble & Hatta (Routledge, 2023)

Symmetry embodies within itself the very principles it describes, manifesting as both order and chaos, logic and paradox, ubiquity and elusiveness. This self-referential nature reveals something profound about its status among nature's laws. While the laws of physics are built upon certain symmetries, symmetry itself is subject only to itself: it has no deeper cause. This observation suggests that it might emerge as a key concept in C21st thought.

And yet, this is not a new idea. Dynamic symmetry was central to many of the world's ancient philosophies and religious traditions, from Mesopotamia to Egypt, Greece, China and India. These cultures recognised the fluid interplay between order and chaos, stability and change, as fundamental to the cosmos. As we reevaluate and refine this ages-old wisdom, we can start to use it as a powerful tool to enhance human knowledge and understanding. 

The way forward involves integrating dynamic symmetry into various fields of study and practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing new tools and methodologies that reflect the principles of dynamic symmetry. By doing so, we can enhance our understanding of complex systems, improve problem-solving strategies, and develop more resilient and adaptive approaches to the challenges that lie ahead.

Video: Red Rattigan: The Language of Symmetry (The British Museum) (13'13") 

OXQ Editor Benedict (Red) Rattigan explores dynamic symmetry as it finds expression in many of the world's most ancient philosophies and religious traditions:

"The Dance of Shiva embodies the concept of dynamic symmetry, portraying the cosmos as an emergent phenomenon born from the interplay of opposing forces. This ancient symbol resonates deeply with the model of the universe which is emerging from modern scientific thought."