Mandala Art – An Ancient art which represents the universe

Mandala Art – An Ancient art which represents the universe that is beyond one’s consciousness.

Spiritual Asian art includes influences from various cultures & religion and marks its beginning with Hindu & Buddhist art around 5^th century BC. One of its form is Mandala Art. In Sanskrit, ‘Mandala’ means “circular object”, a geometric design which symbolizes the idea that life is never ending and everything is connected spiritually in a spiritual journey of every individual and is a symbolic picture of the Universe. The meaning and the purpose of this art is the same. It helps to transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones by healing, and has infinite meditative profits. Mandalas have become popular by the practice of following the art by carving it on pillars of the temples and palaces, and by tapestries that are hung on walls for interior decoration. Because of its ritualistic nature and benefits, it is mostly seen in Buddhism.

Digging into the history of the art, it signifies its healing perspective. A mandala is a representation of unconscious self as described by Carl Jung. The spiritual circle promotes mindfulness, focus attention, boost immune system, reduce stress and pain, lower blood pressure, promote sleep and heals a disturbed mind by easing depression and providing peace. These have the power to reveal truths from the universe and from inside an individual’s spirit as it connects inner being with outer reality. These are a combination of maths, accurate measurement, patterns, designs, and symmetry.

The art is known to be symmetrical and holds meaning for each symmetry and figure in the art. It has one identifiable centre point that signifies an individual.

Other common symbols within the mandalas:

• Wheel with spokes: A wheel, a circular symmetry signifies a perfect universe. That it is never ending and continues forever. The spokes summarize the path of Buddhism, the practices that lead to liberation and rebirth.
• Bells: signifies the entrance of wisdom and clarity of thoughts in and out.
• Triangle: Upward tringles represent action and energy. Downward triangles represent knowledge and creativity.
• Symmetric flower: A symmetric flower usually lotus represent balance. As lotus grows itself from water below to the light above, it is important and signifies an individual reaching from darkness through spiritual awakening to enlightenment.
• Sun: The use of sun symbol signifies a powerful energy in the universe.

Images source : shuterstock.com , Vectorstock

Basically, there are 3 types of Mandalas:

• Teaching mandala: These are symbolic mandala, wherein the creator uses the symbols he/she has learned to depict a message about life and carve meaning out of it for the creator. These symbols are used as per the principle of designs and it is a visual symbolization of what they have learnt.
• Healing mandala: These are encrypted for meditation particularly and has symbols that signifies calmness, peace, and healing of the mind.
• Sand mandala: These mandalas are made from coloured sand, that represent temporariness of humans. Buddhist monks are known to use sand mandalas as a traditional religious element.

Buddhist monks are believed to perform a ritual to destroy these sand mandalas, as that act signifies nothing is permanent.

The Mandala art is also used in dream catchers which are also known as good luck charms, that absorb bad dreams while sleeping, neutralize bad energy when asleep or awake. These are meant to be hung on the walls near the sleeping bed. It is known to filter the bad vibes.

Science and Golden ratios in Mandala Architecture by Rekha Rao is a book that depicts the sculptures and architecture, the calculation and significance of Mandala Art.

The ancient temple, fort domes were sculptured with Mandala Art and its spiritual significance. The position of the sacred ritual of fire were positioned just below the dome as the fire cleanses the bad luck and keeps the space holy.

Author – Janet Simon