Some of what we are only now beginning to understand, our ancestors already knew. They built it into their temples, wove it into their textiles, carved it into their sacred sites. This drawing is a conversation with all of them at once — patterns and symbols from ancient cultures from every continent, arranged around a structure nature herself has been using for billions of years.

Each section of this intricate hand-drawn composition draws on the visual language of a different ancient civilization, moving outward from the living center through earth, water, and atmosphere until the piece dissolves into the night sky. The patterns alternate across every inhabited continent. Every section is drawn from a real ancient culture, chosen for what that civilization understood about nature, the cosmos, and the cycles of time.

Cultures Represented in This Drawing

Moving outward from the center:

Green area — Aboriginal circles (Oceania), Celtic Circle Knots (Europe), Halafian Floral Motifs — West Asia/Middle East (c. 6200–5500 BCE), Saharan Pastoral Neolithic Coiled Basket Motifs — Africa (c. 8000–4000 BCE)

Yellow/Golden areas — Mississippian Culture Engraved Shell Gorget — North America (c. 800–1600 CE), Moche Spiral Cosmogram — South America, ancient Peru (c. 100–700 CE), Indus Valley Solar Rosette — Asia (c. 2600–1900 BCE), Akan Goldweight Spiral — Africa

Orange section — Lapita Dentate Pattern — Oceania (c. 1600–500 BCE), Minoan Labrys — Europe, Crete (c. 2000–1400 BCE), Ancestral Pueblo Geometric Motif — North America (c. 500–1300 CE), Paracas Textile Motif — South America (c. 800–100 BCE)

Red areas — Sepik Shield Motif — Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Nubian Painted Pottery — Africa, Cucuteni–Trypillia Motif — Europe (c. 5500–2750 BCE), Indus Valley Red-Slip Motif — Asia (c. 2600–1900 BCE)

Yellow Green areas — Marajoara Scroll Motif — South America (c. 400–1400 CE), Hopewell Curving S-Scroll — North America (c. 100 BCE–500 CE), Kimberley Fish Motif — Oceania, Australia, Early Khartoum Wave-Impressed Motif — Africa (c. 7000 BCE)

Blue areas — Jōmon Wave-Swirl Motif — Asia, Japan (c. 3000–2000 BCE), Atlantic Bronze Age Cup-and-Ring — Europe, Scotland (c. 3000–1500 BCE), Hohokam Wave-Line Motif — North America (c. 300–1450 CE), Guangala Spiral Water Motif — South America, coastal Ecuador (c. 300 BCE–800 CE)

Icy/Light areas — Māori Koru Spiral — Oceania, Aotearoa New Zealand, Amazigh Diamond Motif — Africa, North Africa, Bactria–Margiana Rosette — Asia, Central Asia (c. 2200–1700 BCE)

Soil/Earth areas — Plateau Beadwork Rosette — North America, Columbia River region, Amazonian Linear Flow Motif — South America, Micronesian Navigation Chart Motif — Oceania, Marshall Islands, Neolithic North African Geometric — Africa (c. 7000–1700 BCE), Neolithic Chinese Circle and Wave — Asia (c. 5000–3000 BCE), Pueblo Radiating Motif — North America, Wari Stepped Textile Motif — South America (c. 500–1000 CE), Lapita Meander Motif — Oceania (c. 1600–500 BCE)

This is art for the archaeology nerd, the golden ratio obsessive, the person who believes the oldest wisdom is still the most relevant. Perfect for living rooms, home offices, meditation spaces, yoga studios, libraries, and any space that welcomes depth and contemplation.

You may also find this artwork as mini prints and on cards, totes, mugs, and more in the Gift Shop. The original is also available. Please inquire.