(click for a larger, unmodified image)

1. First, visualize how this hexagon shape can be translated upwards and downwards to match perfectly with the rest of the tessellation. In the horizontal direction, however, more is involved than just translations.

2. Outlining the unicorn shape inside of the hexagon reveals very little about how the tessellation really works. We need to actually transform (i.e., move, rotate, reflect) this outline shape to see what really happens.

The following animation shows how the unicorns that face each other interlock. The technique is glide reflection, which was also used in the previous example.

All M. C. Escher works (c) Cordon Art B.V.-Baarn-the Netherlands. Modifications for demonstration purposes only. Used with permission.

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