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The geometric "Platonic solids" are simple but
significant three-dimensional shapes, mathematically basis, beautiful,
and profoundly symbolic. The Greek philosopher Plato referred to them in
Timaeus, equating each of the five shapes to one of the five elements -
earth, air, fire, water, and ether. Because these elements are symbolically
echoed within each being and throughout nature, some call the Platonic
solids "the building blocks of creation."
The five polyhedrons [Gk. polus, many + hedra, face] that
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make up the group are unique for several reasons. Each one is created by combining multiples of a
single two-dimensional shape (triangle, square, or pentagon) of exactly the same
size, so that each face or flat side of a polyhedron is identical. Consisting of four
equal-sided triangles, the tetrahedron is the most basic shape and its four sides are
the minimum among geometric solids: with fewer than four sides, a shape would either be
open on one side (and hence not solid), or be two-dimensional - flat - rather
than three-dimensional.
Neolithic variations on these forms have been found in Britain, carved from rock and predating
Plato by at least a thousand years.
Tetrahedron [Gk. tetra, four + hedra, face]
Created from 4 equal-sided triangles
Element-Fire / Season-Summer/ Sense-Sight
Symbolic Attributes - will power, courage, passion
Human Equivalent -Electrical impulse of the heart
In nature - Lightning, stars, volcanoes, high noon
Astrological Fire Signs - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Total Faces - Four equilateral triangles
Total edges - 6 Length of edges - v2
Vertices - Three edges meet at each vertex
Total number of vertices - four
Cube [Gk. kubos, six-sided die]
Created from 6 equal-sided triangles
Element-Earth / Season-Winter/ Sense-Touch
Symbolic Attributes - Stability, manifestation, physical action
Human Equivalent -Body, flesh, and bones
In nature - Earth herself; soil, rock, and plants; deepest night
Astrological Earth Signs - Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
Total Faces - Six Squares
Total Edges - 12 Length of edges - 1
Vertices - Three edges meet at each vertex
Total number of vertices - 8
Octahedron [Gk. okta, eight + hedra, face]
Created from 8 equal-sided triangles
Element-Air / Season-Spring/ Sense-Smell
Symbolic Attributes - Inspiration, new beginnings, mental activities
Human Equivalent -Breath
In nature - Wind, clouds, high peaks and windy plains, dawn
Astrological Air Signs - Libra, Aquarius, Gemini
Total Faces - Eight equilateral triangles
Total edges - 12 Length of edges - v½
Vertices - Four edges meet at each vertex
Total number of vertices - 6
Dodecahedron [Gk. dodeka, twelve + hedra, face]
Created from 12 pentagons
Element-Spirit, ether / Sense-Hearing
Symbolic Attributes - Divine connection, immanence
Human Equivalent -Spirit, Soul
In nature - Space, the heavens
Astrological Signs - The full zodiac
Total Faces - Twelve pentagons
Total edges - 30 Length of edges - 1/Æ
Vertices - Three edges meet at each vertex
Total number of vertices - 20
Icosahedron [Gk. eikosi, twenty + hedra, face]
Created from 20 equal-sided triangles
Element-Water / Season-Autumn/ Sense-Taste
Symbolic Attributes - Emotions, dreams, intuitions
Human Equivalent -Blood, tears, all body fluids
In nature - Oceans, streams, rain, all waters, evening
Astrological Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Total Faces - Twenty equilateral triangles
Total edges - 30 Length of edges - Æ
Vertices - Five edges meet at each vertex
Total number of vertices - 12
For more information on Crystals click here
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