Mary Frame in African Arts said: "a solid and attractive book that takes the reader in logical stages toward an understanding of the symmetrical basis of pattern repeats." [...] "I believe that Symmetries of Culture is a landmark work that will furnish the impetus and method for many studies in this fertile area." Owen Lindauer in American Anthropologist commented: "Question-answer flowcharts enable the reader to correctly classify designs using a standard notation. The book is extensively illustrated with carvings, textiles, basketry, tiles, and pottery, which are used as examples of various symmetry patterns."