Symmetry is everywhere you look in nature. If you look at plants and animals, you will find that they have symmetrical body shapes and patterns. If you divide a leaf in half, you will often find that one half has the same shape as the other half.

Below you will find several examples of how butterflies and plants are symmetrical in shape. If you're not sure how this can be, take some time to look at the diagrams below for a primer on symmetry in nature.

Symmetry in nature is made up of four sections:

Line Symmetry | Classroom Ideas | Rotational Symmetry | Take Your Own Photos

Line Symmetry

The type of symmetry pictured below is known as line symmetry or bilateral symmetry. Take a close look at the beetle and the butterfly. Each is divided down the middle by a purple line. You should notice that they look exactly the same on opposite sides of their bodies.

Beetle

Butterfly

Practice 1

Look at the butterfly below. If we draw a line of symmetry down the middle, how would the two sides be the same? Think of at least five ways they would be the same.

 

Practice 2

Look at the butterfly below. If we draw a line of symmetry down the middle, how would the two sides be the same? Think of at least five ways they would be the same.

 

Classroom Idea for Teachers

Click above for butterfly templates

 

 

Leaf Symmetry

Original	Vein Symmetry	Outside Symmetry
Although not perfectly symmetrical, when divided in half, you should notice that there are many similarities between each side of the leaf above. Can you name them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf Printable Draw the other half of the leaf (pdf)

 

Click here to learn about radial symmetry.

 

 

Take Your Own Photos Click here