Circle
Videos
A circle is a shape consisting of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the centre. The distance between any point of the circle and the centre is called the radius.
Circular cave paintings in Santa Barbara County, California
Circles in an old Arabic astronomical drawing.
The compass in this 13th-century manuscript is a symbol of God's act of Creation. Notice also the circular shape of the halo.
Astrology and astronomy
Videos
Astrology and astronomy were archaically treated together, but gradually distinguished through the Late Middle Ages into the Age of Reason. Developments in 17th century philosophy resulted in astrology and astronomy operating as independent pursuits by the 18th century.
An engraving by Albrecht Dürer featuring Mashallah, from the title page of the De scientia motus orbis (Latin version with engraving, 1504). As in many medieval illustrations, the compass here is an icon of religion as well as science, in reference to God as the architect of creation.