Plane symmetry p1
p1 is the most simple plane symmetry. It consists of two translations
(or slides) in two different directions. There are no reflections, rotations,
or glide reflections in these patterns. The translations can be perpendicular
or at some other angle.
Perpendicular translations
Non-perpendicular translations
Many of the works of M. C. Escher display these symmetries, but in
most cases it is only the coloring of the work which keeps it from displaying
another symmetry. For example, his Study
of Regular Division of the Plane with Horsemen shows light and dark
horsemen in a p1 pattern produced by two perpendicular translations.
If the coloring is ignored then the symmetry pattern is pg,
which is more interesting. The following works display the symmetry pattern
p1, even if color is ignored:
Note: Some of the linked images are very big.
The background
of Memorial University's Mathematics Education
index page also
displays this symmetry.
[Transformations] [Plane
Symmetry] [Geometry] [Resources]
[Copyright]
This page maintained by David A Reid
Email: david.reid@acadiau.ca