What makes us Beautiful?
1 flower petal, 2 petals, 3 petals, 5 petals, 8 petals, 13 petals, 21 petals, and so on…
1 sunflower seed, 2 seeds, 3 seeds, 5 seeds, 8 seeds, 13 seeds, 21 seeds, and so on…
The Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers where each number after the first two is the sum of the two preceding numbers. As the Fibonacci numbers get larger, the ratio of one number to the one before it gets closer and closer to something called the golden ratio (phi, 1.618). This ratio is the “divine proportion” that defines beauty, meaning it naturally creates proportions that are pleasing to the eye. It is the ratio that humans naturally find aesthetically pleasing, as it creates facial proportions that are harmonious and balanced. For centuries, artists, architects, and mathematicians have been fascinated by this phenomenon. Strikingly, the Fibonacci sequence can be found in nature—from the spirals of a shell, or even the galaxy, to the branching of trees, to patterns in art and light, and even in human aesthetics and beauty.
How does the golden ratio display beauty in humans?
The golden ratio represents a natural design that visually demonstrates balance and elegance. It defines natural symmetry and growth. Certain facial measurements can be compared to phi. The length of the face divided by the width. The distance between the eyes compared to the width of the eye. The width of the mouth compared to the width of the nose. Faces where these proportions are close to phi are often perceived as attractive and harmonious—not because they conform to rigid patterns, but because they reflect balanced proportions that our brains naturally respond positively to.
Our brain is wired to recognize patterns, symmetry and balance. Neuroscience studies using fMRI shows that the golden ratio activate the brains rewards centers like the obitofrontal cortex, releasing dopamine, our “feel good” neurotransmitter. This inherently helps us interpret our environment, make decisions, and assess health and safety - our natural animal instinct. The golden ratio taps into that instinct to help identify what “naturally feels right”. It can also be argued that our brain is a prediction machine so it is constantly seeking patterns to help process things more easily and efficient. Evolutionarily, symmetry is linked to health, our genetic and phenotypic fitness, and our overall survival.
Now, you may be thinking how superficial that sounds. But one could argue that the golden ratio is not assessing beauty through judgment or enforcing unrealistic standards. Instead, it is recognizing patterns of harmony. Beauty can even be understood mathematically: colors are wavelengths on the light spectrum, makeup is often used to correct or amplify already-present features, and symmetry is a mathematical principle. Symmetry and proportion are naturally occurring and should be viewed holistically—from posture, to hand shape, to even smiles—creating a dynamic sense of beauty. Recognizing proportions does not equate to judgment; it is about appreciating order and naturally occurring patterns.
Beauty is personal and multi-dimensional. While I’d like to acknowledge that the golden ratio provides a fascinating lens for understanding beauty, true beauty shines through our ability to express ourselves, to be confident, and to be kind to ourselves and others. The golden ratio can support our timeless, human desire to seek beauty—whatever that means to each individual. Ultimately, the golden ratio helps us recognize beauty in the world around us, as well as in ourselves.
