Creating Constellation Patterns I: Composition.

Constellation patterns are a family of Islamic geometric patterns that combine different stars in a tightly interconnected matrix with few subsidiary motifs. We exhibit 20 original star patterns in this traditional style and explain the strategy for creating them. The patterns are based on simple arrangements of circles on a triangular template. It is straightforward to enumerate templates, producing local configurations of stars. We show how to develop the candidate templates to produce repeat units that will tile the plane—a process that uses models from historic examples and relies on the experience and ingenuity of the designer. The enumeration recovers known traditional and modern designs, and leads to many new examples. We focus on patterns that include awkward stars. For example, 11-pointed stars occur in patterns with five different symmetry types and in combination with each of the other n-pointed stars for 8 ⩽ n ⩽ 16 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]