Crop circles are defined as patterns created by the flattening of various crops.  Since around 1990, the “circles” have evolved into complex geometric patterns but the term “crop circle” still remains.  These circles have supposedly been in existence since the 17th century — a devil was depicted in a pamphlet mowing circles into the crops.  Crop circles have popped up between then and now with an increasing popularity in the 70’s and 80’s in England.

The origins of the circles have been disputed by many.  The explanations have ranged from geological anomalies to man-made hoaxes or even UFOs.  In my opinion, the circles are almost always created by people with too much time on their hands.  People will do the oddest things when they are bored or in need of attention or popularity.  Everyone is looking for their “15 minutes of fame”.  Crop circles are definitely one of the odder pursuits of those who have an overabundance of time.

There have been over 12,000 documented circles world wide.  They are increasingly becoming an art form all of their own.  There are even companies such as circlemakers.org who will make advertisements in fields for products such as Red Bull, Mitsubishi, Discover Channel and NBC.  Some of the circles have been shown to have been made with little more than rope and two by fours to stomp down the crops into amazingly complex patterns.  Elements of three-dimensionality are becoming increasingly frequent and have culminated in speculator images of cube-shaped structures.

Take a look at these images below and try to imagine how much time they would have taken to create.  What I wouldn’t do for that much extra time in a day!  Or, on the other hand, look at the pictures through the eyes of a believer — if people didn’t create these than what did?

This intricate crop circle composes of circles and triangles was spotted August 5, 2007 on Sugar Hill in Upper Upham, Wilshire in the UK.  The symmetry of the design appears to be absolutely perfect and there are no signs of human interaction with the design from the air, at least.  This is one of the most baffling things about crop circles.  Makers will go to extreme lengths to cover their tracks which leads believers to believe even more.

This amazing three dimensional crop “circle” measured approximately 350 feet.  It was found near the village of Ashbury in Oxfordshire in July of 2006.  This crop circle is a stellar example of how crop circles are now more than just circles.  The three dimensional nature of this formation is incredible and an art form all of it’s own.

This crop circle was found in Savernake Forrest in Wiltshire in June of 2006.  The wheat crop shows stunning symmetry and three dimensional attributes with two of the circles appearing to be cones more than flat circles at all.  The complexity of some of these designs is absolutely stunning!

This crop circle is 150 feet wide and was found in June 2008 near Barbury Castle above the village of Wrought in Wiltshire. The design is said to represent the first 10 digits of 10 (ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter).  The tenth digit is said to have even been correctly rounded up.  The dot near the center is the decimal point while the ten angular segments with the radial jumps are the indicator of each sequence.  I wonder how this would have been completed in the dead of night with boards and ropes?  Be interesting to see that’s for sure!  These people with too much time on their hands like to interweave ideas of mathematics and planetary alignments to make their hoaxes appear more mysterious.

This is a view of a pentagram crop circle in Fosston. The pentagram has longed been linked to the occult and devil worshiping.  In this circle, the paths to and from the design can be clearly seen, even from the air.

This photo is an aerial view of a crop circle in South Korea.  This one contains many circles of various sizes over top of each other.  Their meaning, if there is one, is unapparent and elusive.  You’d think if the aliens really wanted to send us a sign, it would be readable!

This crop circle was discovered in Smithfield, Utah in July of 1997.  It resembles a petroglyph of some sort more than it resembles the “usual” crop circle design.

This huge crop circle is reminiscent of the base of a tornado shape with various sizes of circles spinning out in three directions.  Perhaps it’s a giant, alien pinwheel of sorts.

This elongated view of a crop circle in the United States also seems to have some sort of “secret” meaning.  It is more than just various circles, one after another.  Some of them seem to have key shapes protruding from them.  Perhaps one day we’ll find the “key” to these mysteries — even if it is just a bunch of guys drinking beer with too much time on their hands!

This compelling crop circle resembles an eye ball, always open, always watching.  The weaved portion surrounding the pupil of the eye look like eye lids and eye lashes.  A little bit creepy, for sure.

This crop circle is an elaboration on the basic pentagram shape with moon shapes protruding from each point of the star.  Very reminiscent of early pagan symbols.

The squiggly lines of this crop circle look like ribbons undulating from the interior circle.  This one is also reminiscent of an alien pinwheel  which is huge and covers a wide area of the crop.

In the end, beauty is in the eye of beholder.  While I may think these shapes are awesome, fascinating and downright pretty, some farmers are probably getting pretty annoyed at the continual destruction of their crops.  These incredible works of art can be very damaging to farmer’s crops, regardless of how they are made.  Although when one field was damaged with a crop circle in 1996 near Stongehenge, the farmer set up a booth to collect a fee to see his “circle”.  He collected£30,00 in four weeks while the value of the crop if it had been harvested would have been approximately £150.  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

Images via Flickr.