Open AccessThe golden ratio in facial symmetry
Author(s) -
Emmanuel P. Prokopakis,
Ioannis Vlastos,
Valerie A. Picavet,
Gijs Nolst Trenité,
Riya Thomas,
Cemal Cingi,
Peter Hellings
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
rhinology (amsterdam. online)/rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.275
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1996-8604
pISSN - 0300-0729
DOI - 10.4193/rhino12.111
Subject(s) - golden ratio , symmetry (geometry) , beauty , medicine , facial symmetry , value (mathematics) , face (sociological concept) , theoretical physics , aesthetics , linguistics , statistics , orthodontics , mathematics , geometry , physics , philosophy
Symmetry is believed to be a hallmark of appealing faces. However, this does not imply that the most aesthetically pleasing proportions are necessary those that arise from the simple division of the face into thirds or fifths. Based on the etymology of the word symmetry, as well as on specific examples and theories of beauty, we conclude that φ-value, a ratio also known as the golden ratio or the divine proportion, can also characterize symmetrical forms. Therefore, we propose the utilization of this ratio in facial aesthetics.