Circles distribute energies evenly, hold/store energy, focus energy, explode, expand or implode energy; they provide strength, flexibility (spiderweb), and distribution.
The circular pattern of a tree trunk gives it stability, allows it to expand over time, distributes energy evenly to the branches, stores energy and focuses it, and provides some flexibility.
Circles often reflect fertility or reproduction.
Flower ovary, microscope.
A modified circle, an egg shape, is of course a strong symbol of nurture, and future life.
This symbol, used by Mollison on the cover of his book “represents the egg of life; that quantity of life which cannot be created or destroyed, but from within which all things that live are expressed.”
Nets and circles often go together, as in a spider’s web. An important example of a circle that creates balance in ecology is the food web.
This is often described and portrayed as a “food chain” or pyramid:
But it could also be seen as a circle with keystone species (species upon which many other animals and plants depend for their survival, such as the gopher tortoise, whose digging architecture houses hundreds of other species from insects to predators) and a webbed circle of life that stems out from there. In an ecosystem there can be numerous interlocked and interdependent netted circles like this. Remove the keystone species or other key species in the web, and the web can become imbalanced or shred in places. These webs of life are complex interdependencies and this is one reason endangered species are protected. We understand how getting rid of them reduces the health of the entire system, or we just don’t know.
How Wolves change rivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhOzGbpEmI
Circles can distribute energy evenly throughout the system, sometimes through explosions.
Microscopic structural proteins.
Circles can also collect or draw in energy.
Circles in human settlements
Many cultures have round houses; they are structurally strong and encourage community.
Mongolian yurt.
The Round Table performed a specific function in the legend of King Arthur which was to bring a diversity of leadership together on an equal footing. This was key to creating the alliance per at least one version of the story. A round table or meeting that is in a circle creates a feeling of equality that helps ensure everybody feels that they have a voice. Many indigenous tribes also used this format for meetings and gatherings.
Cultures around the world create a gathering spot or multiple gathering spots in the middle of their village.
Many cultures build homes around a “town circle” where a gathering of energy can occur. The town square still exists in many small towns or older towns. Often a circle is still depicted even if the street grid is created as a square. This is a place where gatherings can occur, where people can meet, exchange information or resources, have events, entertain each other, and simply hang out together.
Prague, Czech Republic.
Celebrations and ceremonies have also been formed around circular patterns in many cultures.
Navaho drum circle.