Bevier Engineering Library: Symbolism of the Mural
The symbol depicts engineering studies. The world orb is shown with its geocentric, longitude, circle-arcs. The orb is encircled by the heliocentric ecliptic, shown as a large oval outside of which lie three six-pointed stars and one seven-pointed star.
Within the earth orb is the Pythagorean theorem, which states that the sum of the squares of the two sides adjacent to the right angle in a triangle are equal to the square of the hypotenuse. In the diagram one side of the right triangle is three, the other side four units in length, while the hypotenuse is five units long, graphically satisfying the Pythagorean equation. The principle lines for the theorem's proof also are shown. Since much of engineering, mensuration, logarithms, etc., are based on trigonometric functions, the Pythagorean theorem is appropriately central to the symbol.
The three lower stars are six-sided to indicate the six directions, as well as the outer galactic space beyond the heliocentric system. The seven-pointed star, largest and topmost, calls to mind the seven liberal arts of classic antiquity - geometry, astronomy, mathematics, logic, grammar, rhetoric and music. The topmost element in the symbol, the seven-pointed star, is as well an indication of the supreme excellence of reason - man's highest and most precious value, to which all other values are subordinate.