Which unique sacred geometric form so intrigued Buckminster Fuller that he termed it the ‘vector equilibrium’ after much exploration into its nature?
The cuboctahedron (say that 5x fast!), also known as the vector equilibrium, is unique among sacred geometric forms due to its perfect balance and symmetry.
Buckminster Fuller called it the ‘vector equilibrium’ because it represents a state of absolute equilibrium and zero-point energy.
Key features that make the cuboctahedron unique:
- Perfect balance: All edges are of equal length, and the distance from the center to any vertex is equal to the edge length.
- Omnidirectional symmetry: It has octahedral symmetry and is composed of 8 tetrahedra and 3 octahedra.
- Zero-point reference: Fuller described it as the “true zero reference of the energetic mathematics” and the closest approach to eternity and god.
- Energetic potential: It represents a state where all forces cancel each other out, appearing as empty space yet containing infinite potential.
- Geometric versatility: It contains or relates to other significant geometric forms, including the tetrahedron, star tetrahedron, and octahedron.
- Numerical significance: The cuboctahedron’s 11 constituent solids (8 tetrahedra and 3 octahedra) make a total of 10,080°, which coincidentally matches the combined diameters of Earth and Moon in miles.
Fuller called it the ‘vector equilibrium’ because it embodies a perfect balance of forces, where “the magnitude of its explosive potentials is exactly matched by the strength of its external cohering bonds”. This equilibrium state represents the ultimate condition of energy balance, stillness, and potential for transformation.
