PatternRadiating pattern

A pattern is a design in which lines, shapes, forms or colours are repeated. The part that is repeated is called a motif. Patterns can be regular or irregular.

Part ofArt and DesignElements of art

Radiating pattern

A pattern that is arranged around a central point is called a radiating pattern. It seems to radiate out in all directions. Radiating patterns result in designs that feel balanced. They can be an effective way to create a focal point at the centre of the pattern.

Welsh pin wheel frame quilt, 1880-89, Wool and cotton, Bridgeman Images
Image caption,
Welsh pin wheel frame quilt, 1880-89, Wool and cotton, Bridgeman Images

This Welsh patchwork quilt has a radiating pattern that is arranged around the centre in a series of squares.

At the centre is a pinwheel design made from contrasting blue-green and pale brown triangles.

Similarly-coloured triangles spread out in a series of bands that alternate with dark brown and patterned strips of fabric. Triangles at the corners act as arrows that lead our eyes out to the edges of the design.

Welsh pin wheel frame quilt, 1880-89, Wool and cotton, Bridgeman Images
Image caption,
Welsh pin wheel frame quilt, 1880-89, Wool and cotton, Bridgeman Images
Mosaic of Dionysos, from the tessellated floor of a Roman villa, 2nd century BC, Lisa Strachan / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Mosaic of Dionysos, from the tessellated floor of a Roman villa, 2nd century BC, Lisa Strachan / Alamy Stock Photo

Mosaic of Dionysos from the floor of a Roman villa (c.2nd Century BC) has a radiating pattern. Small squares of tiles form coloured triangles. These triangles create petal shapes.

The sides of the triangles also make circles that spread out from the centre. These help emphasise the portrait of the god Dionysus in the middle of the pattern.

Mosaic of Dionysos, from the tessellated floor of a Roman villa, 2nd century BC, Lisa Strachan / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Mosaic of Dionysos, from the tessellated floor of a Roman villa, 2nd century BC, Lisa Strachan / Alamy Stock Photo
Islamic tiling detail inside Jameh Mosque, Tim Gerard Barker
Image caption,
Islamic tiling detail inside Jameh Mosque, Tim Gerard Barker

Islamic art is often based on shapes and patterns that suggest flowers and plants.

This tile pattern from inside the Jāmeh Mosque of Yazd, Iran (12th – 14th Century) has star or petal shapes that spread out from a central circle.

These radiate out to an design of twisting and overlapping lines that create a complicated pattern of leaf and flower shapes.

Islamic tiling detail inside Jameh Mosque, Tim Gerard Barker
Image caption,
Islamic tiling detail inside Jameh Mosque, Tim Gerard Barker

More guides on this topic