Symmetry in European Folk Costumes

Abstract

Ethnomathematics is an interdisciplinary field that explores subconscious and conscious expression of non-formal mathematics within cultures. To explore the mathematics of the designs on European folk costumes, we recorded images of the costumes of 73 cultures displayed in 167 museums throughout Europe, interviewed the directors and curators, and carried out research at the libraries of these museums. We analyze the frequency, similarities and differences in the designs of the 73 cultures, first comparing results culture-by-culture and then repeating the process after combining the cultures into families having characteristic commonalities and similarities of history.