Symmetry-curvature duality

Abstract Several studies have shown the importance of two very different descriptors for shape: symmetry structure and curvature extrema. The main theorem proved by this paper, i.e., the Symmetry-Curvature Duality Theorem , states that there is an important relationship between symmetry and curvature extrema: If we say that curvature extrema are of two opposite types, either maxima or minima, then the theorem states: Any segment of a smooth planar curve, bounded by two consecutive curvature extrema of the same type, has a unique symmetry axis, and the axis terminates at the curvature extremum of the opposite type. The theorem is initially proved using Brady's SLS as the symmetry analysis. However, the theorem is then generalized for any differential symmetry analysis. In order to prove the theorem, a number of results are established concerning the symmetry structure of Hoffman's and Richards' codons. All results are obtained first by observing that any codon is a string of two, three, or four spirals, and then by reducing the theory of codons to that of spirals. We show that the SLS of a codon is either (1) an SAT, which is a more restricted symmetry analysis that was introduced by Blum, or (2) an ESAT, which is a symmetry analysis that is introduced in the present paper and is dual to Blum's SAT.