The combination of art and science can have mind-boggling results. Like Ferrofluid which becomes strongly magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field to an extent that it creates 3-dimensional fractal patterns and sculptures. (It is made by dissolving nanoscale ferromagnetic particles in a solvent such as water or oil.)
The liquid has such lovely visual qualities when magnetized, and a Japanese artist, Sachiko Kodama, took advantage of this property to create stunning artwork using ferrofluid and electromagnets. We recommend watching the video that shows bits of this fluid move in synchronization with sound and transform into organic fractal patterns.
The transformation of magnetic fluid is caused by the interaction with environmental sound. The sounds created by artists, and voices of spectators are caught by a microphone hanging from the ceiling, and then a computer converts the sound amplitude to the corresponding electromagnetic voltage which determines the strength of the magnetic field.
This causes the magnetic fluid to change its three-dimensional patterns accordingly.
The magic of ferrofluid in the presence of electromagnets, created by Sachiko Kodama
Each pattern appears synchronized to the environmental sound and the points of the shapes move correspondingly. As a result, magnetic fluid pulsates according to the sound.
Ferrofluid is polarized in the presence of a magnetic field – Protrude by Sachiko Kodama
Ferrofluids are even more flexible than iron sand.
Magnetic fluid pulsates forming 3D fractal patterns synchronized to music
The Art and Science of FerrofluidMorpho tower artwork
Adding colour to the other wise dark fluid was photographer Fabian Oefner. In Millefiori, he mixed ferrofluid with water colors and put under a magnetic field, the iron particles in the solution start to rearrange, forming the black channels and separating the water colors from the ferrofluid. As you can see below, the reaction was beautiful.
The iron particles in the solution start to rearrange, forming the black channels and separating the water colors from the ferrofluid
Labyrinth-like colorful patterns emerged.
Labyrinth like patterns forming on the magnetized ferrofluid
The structures in these photos are only about the size of a thumbnail, but with photography it is possible to magnify such tiny structures or to freeze a moment lasting only in the blink of an eye.
Millefiori – Ferrofluid mixed with watercoloursColorful patterns emerge after adding colours to Ferrofluid
There are so many experiences and paths that bring about expansion of consciousness and perception – through psychedelics, meditation, dancing, yoga and the list goes on, but did you ever believe that space travel would have this effect?
Astronauts who are returning from space are having profound experiences called ‘The Overview Effect.’
What is the overview effect?
Its a terminology given to astronauts who when gazing back at the earth have their minds opened to the perspective of interconnectedness on the planet, the overwhelming effect of being connected to everything on planet earth and the beginning of seeing things from a higher perspective.
What brings about this change in perspective is when you see the earth as a singe object in space, the sun is just another star and the only thing protecting us and all life on the planet is a paper-thin atmosphere – that’s the moment when you are aware of how fragile and precious life really is!
‘Overview,’ a short film which gives a cosmonaut’s view of the earth, where you see the line dividing night and day travel across the earth, the beautiful curtains of Aurora Borealis, city lights, thunderstorms and then of course the destruction inflicted by man.
Enjoy the film as usual its always nice to see more people waking up to the concept of oneness, although this path is not for everyone but we can all relive the experience.
Nature has a cure for every illness; one simply needs to be made aware of these cures. For several years we lived in virtually an isolated place close to the hills and the fields and that’s when we realised the benefits of living close to nature.
Potion made from leaves of (left to right) Adulsa, Phangli (second top left), bitter gourd, guava and tulsi (bottom right) to treat cold, cough, fever in kids
We started using herbs/plants to treat our now two and a half year old son when he was down with a cold, stuffy nose, bout of fever or a tummy ache – old-fashioned home remedies are often the best way to treat kids.
The people who are disconnected from urban life have the knowledge of plant-based remedies.
Like the local woman where we lived, enlightened us about a potion made from five different types of plants – Adhatoda vasica (Adulsa), highly worshiped Indian herb Holy Basil (Tulsi), Bitter Gourd (Karela), Guava and a local wild plant called Phangli.
We used this remedy when our son suffered from a bout of fever, cold and cough, when he was around 7 months old.
We still use this potion although where we stay now, we don’t have access to Phangli.
The Magic Potion
Leaves of Adulsa or Malabar nut are widely used to treat cough, bronchitis and respiratory ailments
Around 3-4 or 2-3 leaves, mostly the fresh leaves that have just sprouted, they supposedly have the most medicinal value, each leaf (mentioned above) was wrapped inside the big-sized Adulsa leaves (used only for heating purpose) and heated for few minutes, until the outer leaves turned a bit brown.
We removed the burnt leaves and squeezed out the juice by pressing it between the palms, it must have been 1 tsp, and in three days he was better and in a weeks time he was fine. (It’s was a potent mixture and preferably given early morning before breakfast.)
Here is the process in pictures –
Wrap all the leaves together with big-sized Adulsa or Vasaka leavesRoast the leaves on fire till the outer Adulsa turns brown, this should take around 3-4 minutesOpen the packed leaves to squeeze out the extractAfter heating remove the burnt dried leavesSqueeze out the juice by pressing the leaves between your palms, that’s the extract to cure cold, cough and fever
We were absolutely marveled by the healing properties of each one of those plants, the woman said that –
Adulsa was for cough and cold, Tulsi for cold, Guava and Bitter Gourd for the stomach, and the local Phangli to cure fever. We didn’t feel the need to go to a doctor, nature was our doctor. Bitter Gourd and Phangli was not always available so we started using Tulsi, Adulsa and Ginger in case of cold and fever.
Benefits of Tulsi
Fever & Common Cold – The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours
Coughs
Sore Throat
Respiratory Disorder
Kidney Stones
Heart Disorder
Relieves stress
Boost Immunity
Enhances stamina
An excellent mouth freshener and oral disinfectant
Beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases
Useful in treating Diabetes
Benefits of Adulsa
Helpful in asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs and breathlessness
It is also used for lowering blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patient
A poultice of the leaves may be applied to wounds for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
It has been used to control both internal and external bleeding such as peptic ulcers, haemorrhoids and bleeding gums
Antispasmodic properties are also associated with the plant. It helps in easing pain
Recently our son had some kind of a stomach infection which caused vomiting and loose stools for 2-3 days. The remedy for this was Guava leaves, again fresh ones, boiled it in water for few mins (you will notice the colour change) and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes and fed him the extract twice a day. In few days he was alright. Natural remedies generally takes longer to cure an ailment as compared to modern medicine, but at the same time the child’s immunity builds up as well as his resistance level.
Since then we have always used Tulsi and Adulsa leaves to treat cold or cough and guava leaves for any stomach infection. Guava leaves have plenty of benefits. Simply boiling the leaves in water and drinking the decoction does wonders to the stomach.
Guava leaves have been known to treat diabetes, jaundice, gastroenteritis, dental problems and much more
Benefits of Guava leaves
According to Indian folklore, “it is believed that the leaves of this plant [guava] can cure jaundice within three days.”
Since ancient times Guava leaves have been used as herbal remedies to treat diabetes. It decreases the levels of glucose in the blood
Also used to treat epilepsy
Antibiotic properties are attributed to the decoction or infusion of guava leaves
The astringents in the leaves of the guava plant will bind up the bowels and relieve symptoms of gastroenteritis, as well as diarrhoea
By crushing guava leaves and applying them directly to the wound, you can relieve some of the discomfort
Chewing on a guava leaf twice a day, can relieve gum and tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums or mouth sores
Cure bad breath
Soothe a sore throat
There are many such plants which can be used for healing purpose, but are you open to trying it out. The key is patience and belief that it will work! Like the Native American quote goes, “Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.”
(Please consult your herbalist or health care provider before beginning use of any of the plants mentioned above)
Traditionally, temples have been the most prominent religious institution in India and fractals form an integral part of those temples. A single gaze at a temple and you will find fractal-like spires (shikharas) or a tower surrounded by smaller towers, surrounded by still smaller towers, and so on, for eight or more levels. Each part of the facade is designed to look like a miniature reproduction of the whole.
Vishnu temple in Varanasi. This single-pointed wholeness composed of many self-similar peaks at various points in the structure displays a striking fractal quality
Since Hindu philosophy views the cosmos to be holonomic and self-similar in nature – each fragment of the cosmos is believed to be whole in itself – temples are designed and constructed as models of the cosmos.
George Michell, author of ‘The Hindu Temple’ explained, “The architecture of the Hindu temple symbolically represents the quest for moksha– ultimate spiritual liberation, the realization of oneness by setting out to dissolve the boundaries between man and the divine.
For this purpose certain notions are associated with the very forms and materials of the building.
Paramount is the identification of the divinity with the fabric of the temple, or, from another point of view, the identification of the form of the universe [for example the cosmic mountain] with that of the temple.
Such an identification is achieved through the form and meaning of those architectural elements that are considered fundamental to the temple.”
Indian temples are like 3-dimensional structure based on fractal geometryThe rising, fractal-like spires of Kandariya temple in Khajuraho. Some parts are even reminiscent of features in the Mandelbrot set.The intricate sculptures of deities on Madurai temple create fractal-like patterns
Temples are of different sizes populated by sculptures and images of deities, animals, mythical beings and varied symbols to create a distinctive visual and spiritual experience. Not all Hindu temples are based on sacred geometry but many are.
The temple is a fractal part of the whole of Hinduism, and that the use of fractal geometry has a special symbolic meaning in the forms of Hindu temples. Like the whole is reflected and celebrated in each part!
Virupaksha temple in Hampi – Temples are designed as models of the cosmos envisioned in the Hindu philosophy
Ancient symbols have a sense of mystery and awe wrapped around it – like the Swastika. The initial impression might revolve around its use by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party, which has stigmatized its use in the Western culture.
But interestingly, it has been a sacred symbol in various ancient civilizations around the world during different times for over 3000 years, representing life, sun, fire, power, strength and good luck.
In India it remains one of the important religious symbols, mainly used in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. In Jainism, the Swastika delineates the seventh saint and the four arms placed clockwise stand for the four possible places of rebirth: the animal or plant world, hell, earth, or the spirit world.
In Buddhism a swastika represents resignation, and you will often see statues of Buddha with this symbol on the chest or on the sole of the feet. Dalai Lama’s throne is decorated with four Swastikas and its even found throughout Tibet and Nepal on everyday items and as a marking denoting monasteries.
While to the Hindus, swastika symbolizes night, magic, purity, and goddess Kali. The Swastika is commonly used to mark the opening pages of account books, thresholds, doors, offerings, and its even carved on the temple facade. We used it on our wedding card as a good luck symbol and it was part of the wedding ritual as well.
The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit svastika when literally translated from its root, means ‘well- being.’ But it has a negative connotation attached to it due to the Nazi connection. One symbol with two meanings?
Swastika painted on the shaven head of a Hindu boy during a initiation ritualSwastika is used on auspicious occasions in India as a sign of good luck and well-being, here its used on a wedding cardSwastika on the door of a Jain templeSwastika seen on a Buddhist temple in Japan
Use of Swastika by the Nazis
Since World War II, the swastika is often associated with the flag of Nazi Germany in the Western world.
The swastika was a symbol for the Aryans, one of the oldest race who settled in Iran and Northern India. They believed themselves to be a pure race, superior to the other surrounding cultures.
Since the Nazis regarded themselves to have Aryan roots, they used the swastika as their symbol, associated with hate, violence, death, and murder.
Adolf Hitler stated: “As National Socialists, we see our program in our flag. In red, we see the social idea of the movement; in white, the nationalistic idea; in the swastika, the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work, which as such always has been and always will be anti-Semitic.”
Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika was also found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.
The different names of swastika in different cultures
A universal symbol
Swastika symbol used on pottery Europe – Neolithic (top left), Greek vase in 700 BC (bottom left), and on medieval tombstones in Bosnia
Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India.
Artifacts like pottery and coins from ancient Troy, dating back to 1,000 BCE, had the symbol on them!
Atena with swastikas, Greece(top left), Carvings on a stone, Eqypt (top right) and Stone from St Tecla’s Hillfort, Spain – Late Iron AgeNative American Agricultural School basketball team in 1909 had swastika on their t-shirts
The Celts in Ireland and Scotland frequently used to carve it on their tombstones, and the Scandanavians used it as a symbol of ‘Thor’s hammer.’ The Greeks associated the Swastika with the sun god Apollo, and it was painted on clothes, houses, ceramics and many other items.
Among various Native American tribes, the swastika carried different meanings. To the Hopi it represented the wandering Hopi clan; to the Navajo it was a symbol for a whirling log that represented a legend used in healing rituals.
But the Navajo tribe, and many others, have renounced the symbol and don’t use the swastika in their artwork again, because of its association.
For the Navajo swastika was a symbol for a whirling log (tsil no’oli), a sacred image representing a legend that was used in healing rituals, and also used as a decorative design on blankets
For the Mayans the Swastika stood for creation and for the Incas and Aztecs it represented the four seasons due to its four arms, the centre symbolizing the sun. Swastika was also used in Mesoamerican artwork, which shows it was widely circulated.
Chinese called it, ‘WAN’ Zi, and its included as part of the Chinese script in the form of the character. It represents infinity in Tibet and China. Japanese named it ‘MAN’ Ji, and is used on Japanese maps (left-facing and horizontal), to mark the location of a Buddhist temple. The swastika, in the Japanese sense, can mean a number of positive things from strength to compassion.
Oceania Christchurch cathedral in New Zealand
In Armenia swastika is the ancient symbol of eternal light (i.e. God), while in Finland the swastika was often used in traditional folk art products or on textiles and wood. The swastika was also used by the Finnish Air Force until 1945, but is still used on air force flags.
Swastika seen in St Petersburg Army Medical college
Swastika has been used by many cultures over the centuries in different forms (clockwise or counter clockwise) and has various meanings attached to it. It’s like the universal symbol that has united the world on a common ground which is positivity, leaving aside the Nazi factor.
The swastika symbol had an extraordinary survival, in space and time, having reached the present day. Some might even argue that it remained in the collective unconscious – part of the mind that records and conserves the psychological heritage of mankind.
