--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So our problem is to explain where…" description: "\"“So our problem is to explain where symmetry comes from. Why is nature so nearly symmetrical? No one has any idea why. The only thing we might suggest ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce4/richard-p-feynman-495_chinese-art_so-our-problem-is-to-explain-where-symme_818802.png" --- # So our problem is to explain where symmetry comes from… ![“So our problem is to explain where symmetry comes from. Why is nature so nearly symmetrical? No one has any idea why. The only thing we might suggest is something like this: There is a gate in Japan, a gate in Neiko, which is sometimes called by the Japanese the most beautiful gate in all Japan…” quote by Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce4/richard-p-feynman-495_chinese-art_so-our-problem-is-to-explain-where-symme_818802.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce4/richard-p-feynman-495_chinese-art_so-our-problem-is-to-explain-where-symme_818802.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce4/richard-p-feynman-495_chinese-art_so-our-problem-is-to-explain-where-symme_818802.png) > ““So our problem is to explain where symmetry comes from. Why is nature so nearly symmetrical? No one has any idea why. The only thing we might suggest is something like this: There is a gate in Japan, a gate in Neiko, which is sometimes called by the Japanese the most beautiful gate in all Japan; it was built in a time when there was great influence from Chinese art. This gate is very elaborate, with lots of gables and beautiful carving and lots of columns and dragon heads and princes carved into the pillars, and so on. But when one looks closely he sees that in the elaborate and complex design along one of the pillars, one of the small design elements is carved upside down; otherwise the thing is completely symmetrical. If one asks why this is, the story is that it was carved upside down so that the gods will not be jealous of the perfection of man. So they purposely put an error in there, so that the gods would not be jealous and get angry with human beings. We might like to turn the idea around and think that the true explanation of the near symmetry of nature is this: that God made the laws only nearly symmetrical so that we should not be jealous of His perfection!”” [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Nature appears almost symmetrical, but intentional imperfections may be introduced to prevent divine envy, suggesting symmetry is a near‑perfect design rather than absolute. **In simple terms:** Nature is almost symmetrical, perhaps by design to avoid perfection. Key Takeaway Consider that imperfections can be purposeful. Themes science philosophy religion symmetry imperfection Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - Architectural design - artistic motifs - scientific modeling - theological discourse Key Concepts Anthropic principle design arguments aesthetic theory Questions to Reflect On - Why might nature favor near‑symmetry? - What does “imperfection” reveal about our expectations? A Different Perspective Assuming intentional imperfection may project human motives onto natural laws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chinese art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-art/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Symmetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symmetry/) ## Related quotes > [There is no symmetry in nature. One eye is never exactly the same as the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edouard-manet/there-is-no-symmetry-in-nature-one-eye-is-never-exactly-the-same-as/) [Edouard Manet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edouard-manet/) > [I'm from the Madeleine L'Engle school. The more she delves into science, the more she knows there's a creator who's behind these amazing laws,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shadyac/i-m-from-the-madeleine-l-engle-school-the-more-she-delves-into/) [Tom Shadyac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shadyac/) > [There's no symmetry in nature. One eye is never exactly the same as the other. 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Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [The fact that you are not sure means that it is possible that there is another way someday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/the-fact-that-you-are-not-sure-means-that-it-is-possible-that-there/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/you-can-always-recognize-truth-by-its-beauty-and-simplicity/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [One cannot understand... the universality of laws of nature, the relationship of things, without an understanding of mathematics. There is no other way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/one-cannot-understand-the-universality-of-laws-of-nature-the/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Mathematics is not just a language. Mathematics is a language plus reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/mathematics-is-not-just-a-language-mathematics-is-a-language-plus/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [A poet once said, "The whole universe is in a glass of wine." We will probably never know in what sense he meant that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/a-poet-once-said-the-whole-universe-is-in-a-glass-of-wine-we-will/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [I was a very shy character, always feeling uncomfortable because everybody was stronger than I, and always afraid I would look like a sissy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/i-was-a-very-shy-character-always-feeling-uncomfortable-because/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) [Explore all 515 Richard P. Feynman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## More Chinese art quotes > [Some prescient American collectors, including Vicki and Kent Logan and Mera and Donald Rubell, began collecting Chinese art before 2000 with a genuine passion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-glimcher/some-prescient-american-collectors-including-vicki-and-kent-logan-and/) [Arne Glimcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-glimcher/) > [I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. 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This gate is very elaborate, with lots of gables and beautiful carving and lots of columns and dragon heads and princes carved into the pillars, and so on. But when one looks closely he sees that in the elaborate and complex design along one of the pillars, one of the small design elements is carved upside down; otherwise the thing is completely symmetrical. If one asks why this is, the story is that it was carved upside down so that the gods will not be jealous of the perfection of man. So they purposely put an error in there, so that the gods would not be jealous and get angry with human beings. We might like to turn the idea around and think that the true explanation of the near symmetry of nature is this: that God made the laws only nearly symmetrical so that we should not be jealous of His perfection!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard P. 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