By exploring connections between seemingly irrelevant objects we can expand our mental capacity and learn to think out-side the box. At first glance, the haiku by Basho “Nothing in the cry/ of cicadas suggests/ they are about to die” and the picture in figure1 have nothing in common. However upon further inspection, these two objects are similar in their symmetry and proportionality. The organism and the haiku both have a pattern about their symmetry; the haiku being composed of 3 lines, and the organism being symmetrical about 3 lines as seen by the red lines in figure 1.1. Other connections are present as well, such as ratios within the two pieces of information’s relation to the golden ratio phi. Both pieces share a “mathematical” beauty, seen in ratio’s proportionality and symmetry.

The constrained writing of a haiku is beautiful because of the limits imposed on their creation. The haiku by Basho follows the traditional form of a haiku. Three lines one each of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables respectively. Composed of three parts following the pattern 5, 7, 5, the haiku creates a palindrome like pattern. Basho’s haiku’s beauty stems partly from its proportionality, rhythmic lines structured by a pattern. Similarly the organism in figure1 is proportional as most natural living things are. Figure1’s natural beauty also stems from its proportionality and symmetry. The organism can be divided in half down its center line and seen to be perfectly symmetrical as demonstrated by the blue line in figure 1.1. It can also be divided into three symmetrical sections shown by the red lines in figure 1.1. In relation to the objects proportionality, both share a connection to the Golden ratio Phi.

The Golden ratio, sometimes called the divine proportion can be expressed as or 1.6180… and is often referred to as the most beautiful number. Phi can be seen in the structured lines of Basho’s Haiku. The ratio of syllables in the second line to the first and the second line to the third can be represented by 7/5 or 1.4, a number surprisingly close to the golden ration. The organism in figure 1 also has ratios about its proportionality that resemble phi. The ratio of the height (blue line) to the green line (length from the organisms rightmost point to its bottom most point) can be represented by approximately 1.7 a ratio similar to the golden ratio. Both objects correlation to phi enhance their beauty, and add another link between the two.

Relationships between all things, no matter how unrelated they may appear to be, can be made. These two completely different pieces of information can be linked when analyzed on a mathematical level. One connection being the objects similar symmetry and proportionality, another being both pieces relation to the golden ratio phi. These mathematical connections show both pieces association with each other.  By looking at things from a different perspective, we can analyze relations at a higher level and make connections that aren’t necessarily easy to see at first.  “Thinking outside the box" is a valuable skill enhanced by practicing critical thinking.

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