Microcosm

"Microcosm means anything regarded as a world in miniature. An example of this is how atomic structure relates to the structure of the solar system." (Lyssa Royal & Keith Priest, The Prism of Lyra. Glossary).

Usually the term "Microcosm" refers to a smaller world or system that reflects or represents a larger one. It's essentially a miniature version that contains characteristics or elements of the larger whole (the macrocosm).

The concept appears in various contexts:

• In philosophy, it often describes how smaller entities mirror the structure or properties of the universe
• Historically, humans were frequently viewed as microcosms - embodying aspects of the entire cosmos within themselves
• In literature and art, a small setting (like a town or community) might serve as a microcosm that reflects broader society
• In science, smaller systems that exhibit properties of larger ones (like how an ecosystem might represent patterns seen in global ecology)

The term carries the idea that by understanding the smaller system, you can gain insights into the larger one. This reflects the interconnectedness between different scales of existence and the repeating patterns that can be observed across them.