Ambiguous Symmetry

Abstract

This paper presents, analyses and discusses the notion of ambiguous symmetry through the typical case of human beings, both from the physical and spiritual point of view. We first pre- sent a symmetry hexagon of opposition characterizing what symmetry is by relating it with opposed notions in particular antisymmetry and asymmetry. We then describe and comment the ambiguous symmetry of human beings. We emphasize that there is a contrast between an outside symmetry and an inside asymmetry, for example in the case of the torso. In the case of the hands, the left and right hands look symmetric but the way they work is not. This is related with the left and right parts of the brain which can be seen as a complementary symmetry, similar to the positive and negative inte- gers. We also point out the vertical and horizontal asymmetries of human body and the asymmetry between male and female bodies. Male and female can however be seen as complementary symmet- ric from the point of view of the yin-yang Tao theory. It is a metaphorical way to explain that it makes sense to argue that God is symmetric, and that human being is an image of God.