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Comprehension of complexity and paradox through 3D mandalas


Eliciting Insight from Mandala-style Logos in 3D (Part #4)


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Logos and mandalas endeavour to render succinct and communicable a nexus of complexity by which paradox and subtlety may be inferred. An indicative example is that chosen by the International Mathematical Union (as displayed below right). This is a representation in 3D based on the iconic  Borromean rings -- typically displayed in 2D. The configuration is especially valued in mathematics since the three topological circles are linked -- but such as removing any one ring leaves the other two unconnected. In other words, no two of the three rings are linked with each other, but nonetheless all three are linked. The images are reproduced from a separate discussion (Engaging with Elusive Connectivity and Coherence: global comprehension as a mistaken quest for closure, 2018).

Examples of 3-fold articulations of Borromean rings of relevance to coordination of political systems?
Representation of rings interlocking according to the Borromean condition
Early depiction of
Christian Trinity
Common representation
in 2D
Distorted representation
as ellipses
3D representation International Mathematical Union
Logo
Early depiction of Christian Trinity Common representation of Borromean rings in 2D Borromean rings as ellipses Borromean rings in 3D Logo of International Mathematical Union
Reproduced from Wikipedia

The earlier discussion of Borromean rings included the development of 3D animations (as shown below) consistent with the focus of the argument here. It includes comments of relevance by Louis H. Kauffman (The Borromean Rings: a tripartite topological relationship. 2006).

The animation on the right bewlow shows three mutually orothogonal tori with a 3-loop helix moving over each of them (Video: mp4).

Representations of Borromean rings
(with Red surrounds blue; Blue surrounds green; Green surrounds red)
Mutually orthogonal tori
with 3-loop helix
As an ordered knot-set

Toroidal version

3 Möbius strips (animation)  
Representations of Borromean rings as an ordered knot set Borromean rings formed by 3 orthogonal Moebius strips (animation) Animation of 3 mutually orothogonal tori with a 3-loop helix moving over each
Reproduced from Kauffman (2013) Reproduced from Kauffman (2006) Video (mp4); Virtual reality (x3d; wrl) Interactive variants (x3d, wrl) .

Concordian mandala? Provoked by the multiple Borromean rings configuration of five loops -- namely the Discordian Mandala used as a symbol in Discordianism -- a question is how it might be possible to imagine and represent dynamically a comprehensible mandala of requisite complexity in virtual reality. This was the focus of separate discussionm firstly on the use of 5 nine-sided polygons, then on 5 nine-looped helical coils (shown with sphere movement around them):

Interactive 3D demos (click to access)

Indicative screen shots / animations (click for 3D)
View of pentagonal configuration of nonagons in 3D
Animation of possible dynamics of toroidal 5 coil configuration

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