The structural symmetry of 43 face-on galaxy images in the R (650 nm)
and J (450 nm) bands are measured to determine the usefulness of symme
try as a morphological parameter. Each galaxy image is rotated by 180
degrees and subtracted from the original to obtain a quantitative valu
e for its structural symmetry. The symmetry numbers computed for the s
ample are then compared with RC3 morphological types, color, and absol
ute blue magnitudes. A strong correlation between color and symmetry i
s found, and the RC3 Hubble sequence is found to be one of increasing
asymmetry. The use of symmetry as a morphological parameter, and the p
ossible causes of the asymmetries are discussed.