Lines Through Chaos

This post explores a set of visual experiments based on classic chaotic systems—plotted as continuous lines. Each is rendered in the browser using basic JavaScript and canvas drawing. You can try them directly using the embedded JSFiddles below.

These attractors aren’t new, but tracing their paths as single connected lines reveals a meditative beauty that goes beyond phase portraits or static plots.

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🌀 Lorentz Line

One of the most iconic systems in chaos theory. The Lorentz attractor is based on simplified models of atmospheric convection.

Try it yourself →

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🔄 Rossler Line

The Rossler system produces smoother, spiraling chaos. A nice contrast to the Lorentz system’s butterfly structure.

Try it yourself →

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🔀 Lorentz-Rossler Hybrid

This sketch combines the behaviors of both the Lorentz and Rossler attractors. The result is a hybrid pattern—somewhere between flight and swirl.

Try it yourself →

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🔁 Rikitake Line

A lesser-known but fascinating system inspired by the dynamics of Earth’s magnetic field reversals. The Rikitake attractor creates loops that feel like unstable orbits.

Try it yourself →

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Closing Notes

Each system starts from a simple set of equations, but the lines they draw feel alive—never repeating, always moving forward. There’s a quiet satisfaction in seeing them emerge in real time.

If you’re curious about the math, these are numerical integrations of ODEs using Euler’s method with a light touch of aesthetic tuning.

Let me know if you remix or build on these—I’d love to see what lines you follow.

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