Kaleidoscopes as a metaphor for life

Kaleidoscopes are universally appealing. The interplay of inclined mirrors, light and reflections create such colorful and mesmersing patterns. The base of a kaleidoscope’s cylindrical tube is filled with broken pieces of glass, beads and literally any kind of materials and trinkets, bringing together Physics and visual Art in stunning fashion.

Sir David Brewster, the Scottish scientist, invented this wonderful instrument in 1816 when he experimented with light polarization. He mixed up a few Greek words that meant “observer of beautiful shapes” and succinctly came up with the word “kaleidoscope”.

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about kaleidoscopes as a rich metaphor for life in all its hues & glory. The dynamic nature of the patterns symbolise unpredictability and transience; much like how our days differ. Symmetry in the designs represent moments when we are in complete harmony with ourselves and the universe around us. One can draw parallels between complexity in the patterns with the wiring of the human brain that has billions of neurons, each carrying a different impulse. The repeating patterns also suggest how complex the mind is with moods of melancholy, euphoria, love, anxiety, fear and hope, replaying all the time.   

Each time you look at a kaleidoscope, new beautiful arrangements appear magically. This figuratively suggests that one should approach the most difficult situations in life by changing one’s attitude to the circumstances because life is truly amazing. It also means there is so much to look forward to, regardless of the worst lows you might encounter. Things fall apart sometimes, but they can always be put back together even if in a different pattern, much like the stunning art in a kaleidoscope.