Monday, August 16, 2010

Eadem mutata resurgo

Commemorating Jacob Bernoulli...

Eadem mutata resurgo
"Though changed I shall rise the same"

Inscribed on Jacob Bernoulli's tombstone (he died on August 16, 1705 in Basel), this motto refers to the logarithmic (equiangular) spiral (N.B. the spiral that was actually imprinted on the tombstone is not equiangular). Through this self-similar object Jacob Bernoulli symbolically points to the ‘fortitude and constancy in adversity, or of the human body, which after all its changes, even after death, will be restored to its exact and perfect self ’ - as quoted in Mario Livio's book "The Golden Ratio..." (via here).

Jacob Bernoulli at the Mathematics Genealogy Project.


The Whirlpool Galaxy...