2022 $5 Floral Geometry Forever First Class Postage Stamp

Flowers come in countless shapes and sizes, many beautifully demonstrating natural geometric principles. The reverse is also true — geometric concepts can be used to create floral designs. One of the most famous examples is the Flower of Life.

The Flower of Life is a pattern made up of 19 equally sized, overlapping circles. Where the circles intersect, they form delicate, petal-like shapes that give the symbol its name. When only seven circles are used, it’s known as the Seed of Life. In Sacred Geometry, the Flower of Life symbolizes creation, the interconnectedness of all life, and the structure of the universe itself.

This ancient symbol has been discovered across cultures and time periods — from the Osireion temple in Egypt to a mosaic floor in the ruins of Pompeii. Historians even believe Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man may have been influenced by it. The Flower of Life also appears beneath the paw of a lion statue guarding Beijing’s Forbidden City, while in Christianity, the Seed of Life is often associated with the Holy Trinity. Tracing the origins of such enduring symbols reveals just how deeply geometry is woven into human history and belief.