Gallery: going around in circles
A circle is a round straight line with a hole in the middle
Mark Twain
That is, I guess, as good a definition of a circle as you’re likely to find. I like this one too, although I’m not sure it’s true (would an oval not be longer?):
A circle is the longest distance to the same point
Tom Stoppard
A circle is a symbol of unity, eternity, and harmony. When used in a photograph, circular elements give a sense of unity and evoke feelings of serenity and timelessness. An image with circles is usually a restful one.
And we can find them everywhere: in nature, in architecture, and almost every time we sit down to eat or drink! It’s some time since I posted a gallery on this theme (Turning wheels and circles from my past) so I’m pleased to be able to revisit it with some more recent images, including a couple from Mexico, for Ann-Christine’s Circular Wonders Lens Artists challenge. This time I’m focusing only on manmade circles.
Some of these you may have already seen, but I’ve tried to include a few first-timers! My feature photo is from the Richard H. Driehaus Museum in Chicago.
In Thamel, Kathmandu
Rangoli painted on the street in Thamel for Diwali celebrations, the perfect circle now scuffed by passig feet.
Thangka painting, Kathmandu, Nepal
A student at a school that teaches the traditional thangka style of painting, near the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu.
Dal bhat, Bandipur, Nepal
Dal bhat is a traditional meal in Nepal, similar to the Indian thali with a selection of curries and dals served on a tray with rice and pickles.
Manhole cover, Trondheim
The cover depicts the city’s coat of arms. This represents two kings significant to Trondheim: Olav Tryggvason who founded the city, and Olav the Holy.
Monument marking the Arctic Circle crossing, Norway
This small monument on the small rocky islet of Vikingen marks the line of the Arctic Circle.
Hot tub on a Hurtigruten ship, Norway
Looking down (some may say spying!) on a couple in the hot tub from an upper deck.
In the Rue Saint-André des Arts, Paris
A disappointed child let go of the balloon her parents had only just bought her, but her loss was my gain as I grabbed a quick photo!
The Generali Balloon of Paris
This very different Parisian balloon is tethered in the Parc André Citroën and offers rides with great views of the city.
The dome of the Bourse de Commerce, Paris
This former stock exchange building (and before that a corn exchange) has now been converted to a modern art gallery.
Candle holder, Unity Temple, Oak Park, Chicago
The church was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, although I suspect that this candle holder is more generic, but I liked it nevertheless.
Dome in the Cultural Center, Chicago
This is the dome of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, not the more famous Tiffany dome in the Preston Bradley Hall, but I liked it just as much.
The Disk of Mictlāntēcutli in the Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
Mictlāntēcutli was the Aztec god of death and ruler of Mictlān, the underworld of Aztec mythology. This disk was found by archaeologists in the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan in 1963.
In a coffee shop in Coyoacán, Mexico
We had a break here prior to visiting Frida Kahlo’s home nearby, and I loved the quirky decor as well as the great coffee!
60 Comments
wetanddustyroads
Isn’t it interesting how many circles you’ve photographed (perhaps sometimes unknowingly). I enjoyed the picture of the couple in the hot tub 😀.
Sarah Wilkie
Very true – I never set out deliberately to photograph a specific shape. But the world is full of circles!
Alison
You did well with this challenge Sarah, and I can imagine it took a lot of looking through the archives. When I searched for circles in mine I didn’t get much, although I’m sure they were there! I loved the child’s balloon photo, what quick reflexes. Also the manhole cover, I don’t suppose many people look down much.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Alison 😀 I’ve started tagging my photos with things like shapes, colours, main subjects – it’s quite a bit of work but saves a lot of searching when challenges like this come up or when I simply need to find something!
satyam rastogi
Nice post 🌹
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂
Sofia Alves
Wow, Sarah, amazing collection. When you look up, it’s something else entirely. You truly excel at that.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sofia 😊 I do love a beautiful ceiling!
Tina Schell
The phrase “an embarrassment of riches” is the perfect description for this one Sarah. An extraordinary set of circles, I loved them all. IMHO however, none can compete with that amazing piece of art in your opening image from Chicago. Spectacular and perfectly captured.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Tina 😊 That glass dome is indeed a work of art, and the whole house was full of beautiful decorations and objects.
Anonymous
These are all extraordinary images–the skill is particularly amazing, and I cannot for the life of me articulate why it stands out as it does. And, oh, the array of foods and the stained glass……
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I’m not sure which one stands out in particular for you, but I’m glad you like it and the stained glass too 🙂 As for the food, it was delicious!
equinoxio21
Excellent choices. Doesn’t Hinduism speak of Life as one big circle (or wheel?). Dharma? (I really should do some research…)
Thanks a mil anyway for those circles…
🙏🏻
Sarah Wilkie
The Hindu circle of life is samsara (also part of Buddhist and Sikh teaching I believe). Dharma are the duties expected of you in life, to achieve good karma 🙂
equinoxio21
Yes, yes… Thank you. I knew I’d forgotten a word. I should have remembered. Samsara is also a perfume by Guerlain. Which when it was launched I felt was a bit of “appropriation”. (Tough I don’t fully agree with the appropriation concept. But “that is another story” as Sir Rudyard would have said.)
grandmisadventures
Great pictures! But the stained glass one is hands down my favorite- I just love that intricate detail and colors 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I love stained glass, but I’m wondering which one you’re referring to? I assume the Driehaus Museum as it’s especially stunning, but the Cultural Center one is rather good too.
grandmisadventures
I loved both, but I thought the one from the cultural center was really lovely
Sarah Wilkie
It’s like a kaleidoscope, isn’t it? But I love the Driehaus one even more, because of the rich greens and the beautiful trees 🙂
Sue
Well, you found a fantastic selection of circular items from our round world! Loved the Disk of Mictlāntēcutli….and the stained glass dome….and the dhal meal
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue 😊 I’m hoping to do a fuller post about the Anthropology Museum later this week, it was full of amazing things like that!
Sue
Brilliant – I shall look forward to it
photobyjohnbo
Wonderful examples for the challenge. .are a favorite capture for me. I love the architecture.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks for commenting John. I don’t quite get your point about your favourites however!
Anonymous
Always a treat visiting you, Sarah! Gorgeous photography and the variety of circular wonders is amazing. Love them all, the domes especially – and the opener is just FABULOUS. It reminded me a bit of the big glass window in Guernica – also a gigantic tree.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much ‘anonymous’ – I really wish I knew who you were to thank you by name! I’ve never been to Guernica so I was interested to hear your comparison 🙂
Graham Stephen
splendid! ⭕🛞⭕
-✧✦☆❖◈❋✤☆✦-∞-♡-∞-✦☆✤❋◈❖☆✦✧-
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Graham 🙂
Leanne Cole
Fantastic Sarah, I especially love the header image, that is amazing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leanne 🙂 I loved the beautiful old building that houses the Driehaus Museum!
bushboy
So much to love Sarah, the feature is a stunner 😍
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian – the Driehaus Museum is in such a beautiful house and that dome is one of its stars!
Annie Berger
I remain stupefied that you can pull photos from your archives to match a theme so often, Sarah! So many great photos you included in this post but I’m partial to those from Chicago, a city we visit often as our daughter and her family live there. Clearly, though, we need to get out more while there and discover the places you’ve already found!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Annie 😊 For these recent trips I’ve made searching easier by tagging my photos so I only had to search for ‘circle’ to find these! But I have so many older ones that always take much more effort to search. Next time you’re in Chicago I highly recommend the Driehaus Museum – I went with a couple of friends and we all loved it 🙂
Annie Berger
Will try and visit when we’re back there next month.!
Anne Sandler
Amazing post Sarah. I loved all of them, especially the domes and the artic circle marker. Thanks for sharing your travels with us.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne 😊 Always a pleasure to share!
Teresa
Love your featured photo the best and also the first two colourful images from Kathmandu and Nepal.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa 😀 Unfortunately both your comments ended up in my ‘pending approval’ folder and I only just spotted them. I have no idea why this happens at times!
Anonymous
Love the first two from Kathmandu and Nepal. You know me… I so love the cheerful
Colours.
norasphotos4u
Beautiful opening photo!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – that museum was a great find!
Wind Kisses
So many to love, Sarah. I loved the street painted for Diwali in Kathmandu. Even though scuffed up a bit, it was still a great find. I would have absolutely loved capturing a student learning the thangka. There are so many places in the world whose art is so unique to ours. The Arctic Circle was a great add for the challenge, and leave to you to brings us the ….OH yes! Very nice. I am sure you are glad to be home and also going through photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Donna 😊 The thangka painting school was fascinating although as it was a holiday weekend she was the only student. It was the first day of our trip so we were reluctant to commit to a purchase but later I wished we had as we never again saw any as good for so reasonable a price and ended up not buying any. As for being home, yes good to be here and I have so many photos to sort and edit! But we’re already talking about the next trip and planning more …
SoyBend
The stained glass dome is gorgeous, Sarah! Also liked the Arctic Circle monument. Simple and beautiful.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Siobhan 🙂 I love stained glass and I agree, that dome is lovely! And the monument was starkly beautiful on that little islet.
Marie
The meal for me also!!!! Also love the street paint and that hot tub is perfect – you just never know when a photo will come in useful!!!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Marie 🙂 It seems I’m going to have to share that meal with quite a few of you!!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Well, I’m with Phil – hard to get past the food! And I think the couple in the hot tub should gave worn more suncream. Distressingly red shoulders!
Sarah Wilkie
If that couple are tanned or even burned, they didn’t get so in that hot tub! It was cold and damp that day and throughout most of our time on the boat 😀
kzmcb
Fantastic round the world of rounds.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😀
Egídio
Sarah, that opening rangoli was magnificent and so beautiful! I also liked the domes you shared. All are beautiful photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you liked them 🙂 There were a number of such rangoli on the pavements in Thamel but most were a bit scuffed as they must have been there several days – that was about the best of them.
thehungrytravellers.blog
Brilliant, although away from the artistic content, I purred at the sight of that thali-like meal. Hungry now. Loving the variation in your selection.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Phil – you would have loved that meal and the place we had it, Bandipur, in a beautiful old house with views of the Himalayas!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
These are great photos for this theme. The Disk of Mictlāntēcutli I really like, the world 🌎 lamp, is so nostalgic. So obvious -we live on a round planet.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ritva 😊 I was really struck by that disk and several other objects in that museum – I’m planning a full post about it soon.
Terri Webster Schrandt
What a wonderful variety of circular shapes, Sarah! Glad to see images from your latest trip. As grand is all the architecture is, I like the hot tub image the best 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Terri 😊 I was rather pleased with that hot tub shot and glad to have the opportunity to use it!