The Snub Dodecahedron

(Or Snub Icosidodecahedron)

The Snub Dodecahedron (or Snub Icosidodecahedron) is a fascinating and chiral Archimedean solid. Chirality means it exists in two distinct mirror-image forms, often referred to as left-handed and right-handed (or laevo and dextro). It's composed of pentagonal faces surrounded by a swirling pattern of equilateral triangles.

It can be constructed by taking the pentagonal faces of a dodecahedron, pulling them outward slightly, giving them each a small twist, and then filling the resulting gaps with bands of triangles. This "snubbing" process breaks the original reflection symmetries, leading to its chiral nature.

Geometric Properties

• Faces: 92 total (12 pentagons, 80 triangles)
• Edges: 150
• Vertices: 60
• Vertex Configuration: 3.3.3.3.5 (Each vertex joins four triangles and one pentagon)

Its dual polyhedron is the Pentagonal Hexecontahedron. The Snub Dodecahedron has the highest number of faces among all Archimedean solids, dominated by triangular faces.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Metaphysically, the Snub Dodecahedron represents dynamism, flow, and complex spiral energy. The pentagons (aether/life) act as anchoring points, while the numerous triangles (fire/spirit/action) create a sense of movement and intricate connection around them.

Its chirality introduces the concept of asymmetry within harmony, mirroring aspects of the natural world (like DNA helices or shell spirals). It can symbolize the beauty that arises from non-symmetrical growth and development, or the integration of seemingly opposing forces (left/right handedness) into a unified whole. Meditating on this shape might help in understanding complex dynamic processes, embracing natural asymmetry, or connecting with spiraling life-force energies.