Why so many examples of symmetry in man-made objects? Does symmetry add beauty? Certainly, the implied consequence of an affirmative answer to the latter, namely the fact that the more symmetries an object possesses the more beautiful the object is, cannot be true. For the plane itself is the most symmetrical of all objects and yet it is wanting life. But then how does symmetry relate to beauty?

These questions do not have a definite answer. Yet, such a lack of definition appears not to have hindered attempts at formulating answers, and it could be argued that it has, in fact, provided a reason for multiple efforts to do so. For beauty itself has been the subject of many philosophical reflections and its perception studied as a branch of psychology. It would perhaps be as foolish to endeavour a description of all this pondering as it would be blind to ignore it. A possible compromise consists of selecting those reflections whose nature best suits the purpose of this book and whose contents will, therefore, throw light on our subsequent exposition. In doing so we will be oblivious to most of the discussion around beauty, including arguments which are close to our theme.