How do we fit in turbulence?

Where does the human fit? From the viewer's perspective, the curved shape of the boats aligns with the curve of the waves. Men kneel in unison toward both the approaching wave and the sacred Mt. Fuji, framed by both wave and boat. The perspective from the boat likely is nothing but turbulence without form. Looking up to recognize patterns is a key to working through turbulence.

In this case, Hokusai seems to suggest that humanity not only should conform to nature but also must kneel before it to harness chaos for survival. Or, maybe he’s simply commenting on how humans tend to pray when doom approaches; no atheists in a fox hole.

Another interesting point about Hokusai’s Great Wave image is considering if the use of fractal geometry is responsible for its timeless and universal appeal. The print could be so pleasant to the mind because it uses imagery that is like the fractal geometry in our own brains, making our minds self-similar from the images in the picture.