By Francesca Lungarotti
A pattern is a repeating decorative design, and the realm of nature is full of them. It seems trivial but it is quite surprising to observe how many design matrices exist around us that were created without any human intervention.
Throughout history patterns have always influenced art and architecture. Photography is the only medium that can offer patterns in a two-dimensional way that serves to inspire artists and designers. Many patterns have reached such a high level of design that they now represent an infinite and timeless creative resource. In this gallery of natural patterns, what is your pick?
Porcelain fungus (Oudemansiella mucida) clusters of fungi / mushrooms growing on fallen and rotting beech trunk in forest in autumn. Photo: Philippe Clément/Arterra / UIG 
Interior of a pearly nautilus shell, also known as chambered nautilus (Nautilus Pompilius). Native to seas of Indo-Pacific. Photo: Wild Horizons/UIG 
Ginshadan sand garden at Ginkaku-ji (Zen Temple of Silver Pavilion), Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Petr Svarc/UIG 
Botanic garden. Tropical plants. Banana leaves. Photo: Pascal Deloche/Godong/UIG 
Sand patterns, sand ripples on mud flat / beach at low tide, Wadden Sea National Park, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Photo: Arterra/UIG 
Close-up of dewdrops on spider’s web. Photo: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/UIG 
Snake skin, Andasibe, Madagascar. Photo: Matthew Williams-Ellis/UIG 
Parsons chameleon, Calumma parsonii, endemic to Madagascar. Photo: Matthew Williams-Ellis/UIG 
Flowing patterns on the trunk of a Palm Tree in Singapore. Photo: Planet One Images/UIG 
Botanic garden. Greenhouse with cactuses. Photo: Pascal Deloche/Godong/UIG 
Sand patterns at a desert. Dubai. United Arab Emirates. Photo: Pascal Deloche/Godong/UIG 
Heavy surf at Cape Reigna, New Zealand. Photo: Planet One Images/UIG 
Close – up of a palm tree in Lima, Peru. Photo: Planet One Images/UIG 
Botanic garden. Greenhouse with cactuses. Photo: Pascal Deloche/Godong/UIG 
Ship wake in Eidfjord, Norway. Dusk. Photo: Planet One Images/UIG