A Balance

A contemporary string figure created by Felix Mindt-Paturi of Germany. On the first day of Fall (the autumnal equinox), day and night are of equal length. This year Fall began on September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient Rome astronomers noted that the sun entered a faint constellation in late September. They named the constellation "Libra, the balance or weighing scales" to commemorate the equality of day and night. Paturi's figure represents an old-style two-pan balance beam scale. The upright triangles represent weights.

<Full-length video in Windows Media Player>

Step-by-Step Video Clips

Written Instructions (String Length: 1½ spans)

1 2 3 4 5 all

Step 1 - Place loop on 1 and 5; R2 picks up L palmar string; L2, through R2 loop from above, picks up R palmar string; extend.

You have Opening A.

Release 5 loop; 5 picks up 2f; R4 picks up L34 palmar string; L4, through R4 loop from above, picks up R34 palmar string; extend.