The Mandala tattoo not only has beauty and mystery, but is also a magical amulet and a magnet for good energy. That is why many tattoo lovers strive to decorate their bodies with this symbol, similar to a map of space.

Origin of the Mandala symbol

Mandala is translated from ancient languages as a circle or sphere and implies a sacred schematic image. It originates from Buddhist and Hindu cultures and symbolizes the realm of deities.

Mandala is a complex geometric symbol that is a map of the cosmos, a model of the universe. It is an outer circle, in which a square is inscribed, which includes a second circle - the inner one. The square is oriented to the cardinal points, and the main sacred symbol is depicted in the center of the inner circle. It could be a god, an animal, a flower or writing.

Mandala tattoo meaning

The Mandala tattoo symbolizes wisdom and spiritual integrity, which is explained by the confinement of the design in a circle. Inside there is also a square and triangles, facing different directions of the world and painted in different colors: north - green, south - yellow, west - red, east - white. The central part is painted blue, but these are only possible options, since the matching of the sides and colors can be completely different.

All these patterns and elements are associated with various spiritual qualities: comprehension, steadfastness, spiritual integrity. Most often, the mandala circle is entwined with beautiful patterns, making the symbol look like a lotus flower with its delicate petals.

The mandala can be adjusted to each person individually. You can hide a labyrinth in the wheel of the world (as this wonderful symbol is also called), zodiac circle or dial. Basically, a mandala is built from patterns and symbols, which each person chooses according to his own taste and discretion. Everyone brings a piece of their soul, their own meaning into this intricate drawing, which they enjoy.

So, the main idea of a mandala tattoo is to protect a person’s inner world. This symbol acts as a talisman and helps to maintain the integrity of the soul and find peace within oneself, expressing it in one’s own way.

How does the Mandala tattoo work?

The mandala will only work if you really believe in it. In most cases, fans of this symbol are people close to Buddhist and Hindu culture. It is they who put the most meaning into this amulet and symbol of wisdom.

Listed below are several types of mandalas that differ in their effects.

Healing mandalas attract a healthy spirit, add vitality and energy.
Protective mandalas stop and neutralize negative energy.
Mills or turntables. These mandalas work as transformers of energy from one quality to another. For example, such a mandala will add peace to an active and restless person.
Male and female mandalas carry the energy of principles and balance hormones in the body.
Paired mandalas adjust and balance relationships between partners, bring peace and harmony to the family,

How does a Mandala tattoo affect your life?

Mandala is an ancient magical resonator that affects a person and creates the most powerful information biological fields. These fields can be protective, activating, harmonizing, adapting to each person individually.

It is very important to choose the right design so that you like it. The Mandala tattoo has a strong energy that can influence the owner of the tattoo, especially if he believes in it. Below you can see several popular mandala patterns with their meanings and influences on a person and his life.

Manadala of love

The love mandala symbolizes peace of mind and harmony. They also say that such a symbol will help you find true love. The key patterns here will be petals and buds, perhaps a peacock.

Manadala of happiness

The mandala of happiness awakens the spirit of integrity and helps to feel the taste of life, first of all improving a person’s state of mind. Such mandalas are most often created from curls, petals and flowers, symbolizing the blossoming of life.

Good luck manadala

The mandala of luck sets a person up to achieve everything he has planned. This symbol is also a kind of amulet. Strict geometric figures make this mandala look like a crystal that absorbs troubles and adversity. It is also possible to perform a mandala for good luck in the shape of a lotus flower.

Wealth manadala

The money mandala attracts the energy of money. This symbol, of course, will not give you mountains of gold, but it will help the body tune in to hard work and raise the working spirit. Symbols of wealth and prosperity are leaves and flowers, a bunch of grapes.

Mandala Tattoos

In these photos you can see how beautiful and unusual Mandala tattoos look with different meanings and location.

In Buddhism and Hinduism, there are symbols that personify the universe - mandalas, the meaning of the images in these complex ones is multifaceted and mysterious. The mandala design is always symmetrical. It is a circle in which the center is expressed. Its most common form is a basic circle in which a square is inscribed. Inside the square is another circle, divided into segments (often in the shape of a lotus flower). The mandala is decorated with various symmetrically arranged ornaments.

What are mandalas: the meaning of images

In translation from Sanskrit the word mandala translated as "circle". Hindus and Buddhists paint it accompanied by certain sacred rituals. The walls of many eastern temples are covered with similar drawings and are objects of worship. It is believed that sacred symbols contain positive energy, help to reveal the subconscious and inner “I”. That's why mandala in the East - This is a kind of frozen prayer.

The one who draws mandalas depicts the essence of his soul at the moment:

the center of the mandala is the eye or pupil;
inner circle – enlightenment, nirvana;
outer circle – protection;
lotus is the flower of the mind.

Mandala images are used for meditation . Focusing on the ornaments of a drawing contributes to the restructuring of consciousness, as a result of which certain abilities are revealed in a person. A mandala is, first of all, a holistic model of life, reminiscent of the connection between man and the cosmos. Sacred drawings help you look at yourself from the outside, accept and resolve a protracted internal conflict.

Mandala: meaning of symbols

In addition to the image of the lotus, circle and square, there are other symbols:

Triangle with its apex up – determination, strength; down - indecision, weakness.
A spiral rotating clockwise is the beginning; against - devastation, waste of energy.
Winding lines - experiences.
Cross – indecision, cross state.
Five-pointed star - freedom and self-confidence, self-protection.
Eye, pupil - to be aware of important events.
Heart – love, sensuality.
Lightning - divine power healed the soul.
Wood is the basis of the universe.
Animals are a sign of human behavior in the present period of life.
Birds - awareness of your soul, lightness.

A mandala drawn in a state of meditation will help you analyze the state of your inner self, concentrate your mind, and realize the freedom of being; the meaning of the symbols that fill the drawing will help you analyze the sacred meaning of a person’s internal forces.

The meaning of flowers in a mandala

The same color in a sacred drawing has many meanings, and in combination with other colors the meaning can change.

Red – a sign of energy, passion, life potential. A person drawing a mandala in red has goals and aspirations. The absence of red means anxiety, depression, loss of interest in life.

Yellow – creativity, optimism. The color yellow adorns the drawings of artists.

Blue – the color of serious personalities, calm and reasonable people. People who are hardy and strong in spirit are attracted to the color blue.

Green – renewal not only of oneself, but also of others. Green color prevails in the mandalas of people whose profession is related to helping and treating people.

White – cleanliness, protection, ; a color that protects from negativity and helps thoughts remain bright.

Brown – practicality and stability, the desire for consistency and security.

Black – darkness, mystery, death. The presence of black indicates emptiness and self-denial.

The meaning of flowers in a mandala is deeply symbolic. Experienced psychologists have long used sacred drawings in their practice to help accurately determine the patient’s internal state. People with mental disorders are invited to choose a mandala from several offered or draw it themselves.

The center of the picture, the most important place of the mandala, the meaning of the images in the central part make up 90% of the meaning of the entire ornament. It is in the middle of the picture that the gravitational movement is strongest, the path to which is slow and difficult.

A very interesting and deep theme “Mandala”. When starting to study it, first of all it is necessary to understand the concept of “Mandala” » .

What does "mandala" mean?

Let us give several interpretations of this term.

Mandala is a sacred schematic image or design used in Buddhist and Hindu religious practices.

Mandalas are symbols for meditation with an ornamental pattern, most often including the shapes of a circle, triangle, square, or lotus petals. When focusing on them, thanks to a special structure, a corresponding adjustment of consciousness occurs, which contributes to the discovery of certain human abilities or the awareness of the basic elements of the universe that cannot be expressed through logic, which can serve to comprehend the whole spectrum of truths arising from them.

Mandalas- these are special sacred drawings that are a kind of visual prayer.
A mandala is a geometric symbol of a complex structure that is interpreted as a model of the universe, a “map of the cosmos.”
Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle, center, polygon, unity. Translated from Tibetan it means the center of a circle with outer walls and surroundings. Traditionally, it is designated by a circle - a symbol of space and nature, and a square - a symbol of the Earth and the world created by man.
Mandala is a symbol of the wheel of life and death, cosmic processes of existence, planets and stars, earthly seasons and galactic cycles. It is a manifestation of a certain field.

However, the etymology of the word "mandala" suggests not only a "circle" but also a container of essence.

The mandala represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model of the structure of life itself - a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our connection to the infinite world that extends both outside and inside our bodies and minds.

Describing both material and spiritual reality, the mandala manifests itself in all aspects of human life: in the celestial circles called Earth, Sun, Moon, and in conceptual circles: friends, family, society.

The mandala represents an integrated view of the world. Awareness of the mandala contributes to changes in our views of ourselves, our planet, the structure of the universe and, as a result, can change our entire life and our purpose in life.

Simply put, a mandala is a sacred geometric figure that represents the universe.

When a mandala is completed, it becomes a sacred area that serves as a source of spirituality and a place of power. By concentrating on the mandala, a person is directed through space to the essence of reality.

“It is well known that in tactical terms, a square or a circle are the optimal means of defense against a stronger enemy. What has already been said is enough to explain the meaning of a mandala or some other endless characters, based on the concept of presynct or protection of a certain space identified with the individual."
Circle dances - such as the May Day tree dance in England, or the Sardan dance in Catalonia - or round stones (once known as cromlechs - Celtic structures of the Bronze Age), or symbols depicting a fence or a circle of people - they all have the same symbolic meaning, general concept self-defense, as defined by A. van Scheltom in Documents VII (Paris, 1930).
Mandala. This is a symbolic diagram, usually a circle bounded by a square with a central symbol in the center, which may also be a drawing. Represents the way of being and the system on which meditative visualization is based. Mandala is also imago mundi, limitation of sacred space and penetration into the sacred center, completeness, microcosm, cosmic mind, integration. Qualitatively, the mandala personifies the spirit, quantitatively - being. Alternating squares symbolize the dualistic and, at the same time, complementary principles of the universe, and in general - the re-playing cosmic drama and the wanderings of the soul. It is also a symbol of the universal spirit and a ritual diagrammatic form of Purusha. In addition, the mandala symbolizes the center of power, the area protected from enemy influences. The center of the madala is the Sun or the Heavenly Door and symbolizes the entrance to Heaven. A Hindu temple is built in the shape of a mandala, which symbolizes different levels universe, each of which has its gates, or doors, to the four cardinal points. Groups of five images represent four points located around the center - “the ego surrounds itself in space and time.” These five points symbolize the five elements of the human personality, the five Buddhas, the five “generations”, which are reflected in the five faces of Shiva - west - white, Sadiojata, north - yellow, Vamedeva; south - black, Aghora; east - red, Tatpurusha; the center is green, the face of Isana (creative power) These are also the five spiritual knowledges that symbolize the five Tathagatas. Vairochana (Brilliant) - knowledge that reflects archetypes, center, wheel, white, like in a mirror; Akshobhya (Equanimity) - primordial consciousness, unit, vajra, east, blue; Ratnasambhava (Precious-Born)
Knowledge of the fundamental unity of things, jewel, south, yellow, Amitabha (Limitless Light)
Knowledge of the One Being, lotus, west, red; Amoghasiddhi (Infallible Success) - knowledge of both power and action, sword, north, green The Demons (Vaghna) in the mandala symbolize the hostile, threatening aspect of the psychic and passionate forces that impede man's progress towards the light. The Mandala, constructed as 8x8 squares, means the heavenly world built on earth; like 9x9 squares - an expanding and decreasing universe
A meditation image of a mandala, which should facilitate concentration on the divine essence of the soul, inaccessible to consciousness.
Journey to Me
A mandala (translated from Sanskrit as sacred is a cosmogram, a geometric projection of the Universe. It represents the Universe not only as inert outer space, but also as rotation in time; both dynamics and statics are considered
Mana is a supernatural secret power.

arise here as a life process "developing from the basic principle (beginning)" revolving around the central axis, Mount Sumeru, axis mundi, on the top of which the sun rests, and the base goes into the mystical underground depths.
We find here the symbolism of the Babylonian zik-kurat *, the Chinese imperial, as well as the Iranian city, images of the world, in the center of which man merges with the universal forces, the psychic energy of which he assimilates.
O Mandala serves as a visual support for meditation, necessary for initiation into various tantric cycles. Applied to the ground using rice powder or multi-colored sand, or on silk fabric, its design obeys unchanging rules. Each detail has a symbolic meaning and helps the meditator in his effort to concentrate, directing the emotional and mental currents towards a spiritual perspective, bringing them closer and closer to the center of the individual, to his true Self.
O Mandala consists of a square inscribed in a circle divided into three parts. The outer, fiery circle of the mandala (or fiery mountain), consisting of five colors, is a barrier to the uninitiated, symbolizing the elements and knowledge that should burn away ignorance and lead the meditator to the sought knowledge.
The second circle is a diamond belt, or vaira, a symbol of higher knowledge, bodhi - a state of enlightenment, which, once experienced, remains unchanged, like a diamond.
The third circle is represented by a belt of lotus petals and symbolizes a state of purity, conducive to the harmonious flow of meditation. Inside it is drawn a mandala, or palace, a square divided into four triangles, on each side of which there is a ledge representing a door leading to one of the hundred.
Zshskurat - a giant tower in the Chaldean and Babylonian temples. - Note. perce.

a crown of light, guarded by four cosmic guards and adorned with half a pearl.
The perimeter of the square, which represents the wall, is painted in five primary colors.
The center of the mandala is identified with Mount Meru - the axis of the world. It is surrounded by a circle of vaira and looks like a lotus flower with eight petals, in the center of which is the object of veneration - a deity, his attribute or symbol. The bud dispels the radiant emanations of Buddhas or their symbols, originating from the rays of the Void.
The meditator must grasp the mystical connection between the elements of the earthly world and the divine, and gradually master the parts of the mandala. By moving to the central figure, the symbol of the absolute, he becomes identified with the divine spectacle and acquires the integrity of consciousness. O Hindus give life to these diagrams (as well as statues of deities) before performing the cult rite of Pranaprtishtha in front of them, the purpose of which is to transmit the energy of the adept to an inanimate object through psychic fluids.
О Exact copies of the mandala, images on the sand of the Pueblos and Navayos Indians perform redemptive, healing and magical functions. Painted with sand of symbolic colors, imbued with cosmic energy and supernatural power, crushed stones, chalk, coal, ocher, etc., containing mythical figures located in accordance with the cardinal directions, pictorial symbols of sacred elements (sun, moon, lightning, rainbow, stars, lakes, clouds, birds, etc.)” mandalas are surrounded by a protective rainbow. O The same symbolic function is performed by mosaics of colored powder used by the Hopi Indians in initiation rites: one of them embodies the sun, emitting rays feathered like arrows; a piece of quartz covered with feathers and placed in the center of the diagram represents the heart of the sun.
These symbolic figures, a kind of written rituals, laid the foundation for carpets, embroidery, acting as a talisman; they initially served as the main object magical rituals. O A principle similar to the principle of the mandala underlies the construction of temples: at the very entrance the believer finds himself in a sacred place where the sacrament is performed. By his appearance in the holy of holies, according to the prescribed rules, he joins the Universe and, when he enters the mystical center sacred temple, turns out to be transformed and merged into one with the primary Unity, the secret principle of his own life, his own mystical essence, the enlightened beginning of his own consciousness, which radiates his psychic capabilities and abilities. O Adepts of some tantric schools resort to interiorization of the mandala: mental visualization or bodily identification with the mandala through the revitalization of the chakras, the intersection points of the cosmic and mental life of the individual, is equivalent to penetration into the center of the mandala.
Geometric composition symbolizing spiritual, cosmic or psychic order Although buddhist mandala known mainly as a guide to meditative practice, in ancient times it. both in Buddhism and Hinduism, it was also a symbol of initiation, oriented believers to sacred places Mandala - an attempt to depict the highest reality - Spiritual Wholeness, which surpasses the sensory world. In Sanskrit, mandala means circle, and even when this geometric composition is based on squares or triangles, it still has a concentric structure. It symbolizes the desire for spiritual center, mental and physical, which is reflected in the mandala-shaped structure of many temples and stupas.
A striking feature of all mandalas is the high visual harmony of its constituent elements, symbolizing divine harmony itself, opposed to confusion and disorder. material world. Jung believed that the mandala is an archetypal symbol of man's longing for psychological interaction with other people.
Other researchers believed that a mandala is a visual expression of a spiritual journey beyond the self. The meanings of different mandalas differ; some have figurative elements that are meant to symbolize certain qualities, such as those represented by specific bodhisattvas, often seated in a lotus flower. Nevertheless general meaning composition remains unchanged and symbolizes the guiding mind, supernatural structures, and the clarity of enlightenment.
(Sanskrit) - primarily a circle, but more in a broad sense in the Indo-Buddhist region, as well as in Lamaistic Tibet, means of concentration and meditation constructed from circles and forms formed from them. Such structures are mostly drawn and painted with paints, but they are also designed compositionally, and then clearly copied in the construction plans of temple buildings. They are, in the truest sense, spiritual images of the world order (cosmograms), often combined with elements of four-dimensional orientation (see Square). In this case, as with targets, there is a pointing to the center, leading to a “narrowing of the mental field of vision” (C. G. Jung) with the expectation of contemplation and concentration of attention on the spiritual content and intuitive way of knowing, which, thanks to this, in a deeply felt form must take root in the psyche. In the center, according to the nature of the teaching and the degree of initiation, there are various symbols, for example, in Indian system tantrism - a diamond “wedge of thunder” as a symbol of the final unification of male and female principles, overcoming the dualistic system (“Shiva-Shakti” in kundalini yoga).
Alchemical symbols also often have the character of a mandala, although we are not talking here about an obhistorical connection with Asian prototypes. Complex psychology in the understanding of C. G. Jung Interprets mandala symbolism as “archetypes” (original prototypes) born to humanity, which can spontaneously appear in culturally and historically unprepared people during the process of spiritual maturation (for example, in dreams, visions or in free living images) - as symbols of immersion and deepening into chaotic phases in order to express the idea of the spiritual core of existence, internal reconciliation and integrity.
As a means of meditation in in its own sense Mandala images are designated by the Indian expression yantra.
Hindu term for circle. It is a type of yantra (instrument, method, symbol) in the form of a ritual geometric diagram, sometimes corresponding to a special prophetic property or some form of magic (mantra), which is thus given visual expression.
Kamman suggests that mandalas were first brought to Tibet from India by the great guru Padma Sambhava in the 8th century AD. e. They can be found throughout the East as a means of achieving contemplation and concentration - as an aid in inducing certain mental states and in supporting the spirit as it moves forward along the path of evolution from biological to geometric forms, from the material to the spiritual.
According to G. Zimmer, mandalas are not only drawn or drawn, but also built in real life for some celebrations.
One of the monks of the Lamaist monastery of Bhatya Basti, Lindem Gomhan, described the mandala to Carl Gustav Jung as “a mental image that can only be constructed in the imagination by a knowledgeable lama.” He emphasized that “no mandala is the same as another”: they are all different because each is a reflected image of the mental state of its creator or, in other words, an expression of the change introduced by the psychic content into the traditional idea of the mandala. Thus, the mandala represents a synthesis of traditional structure and free interpretation.

Surely you are familiar with the concept of “art therapy”. Personal growth coaches, psychotherapists and practicing psychologists use drawing as a way to reflect internal conflicts and relieve tension. In this article we will tell you about one of the options for art therapy: you will learn what a mandala is, how to use it and its hidden meaning!

What is a mandala?

Translated from Sanskrit, “mandala” means “circle”. These round-shaped symbols have been known since ancient times. They can be described as a square inscribed in a circle and decorated with various shapes and patterns. What’s especially fascinating about mandalas is that each design and its ornaments are arranged symmetrically!

In Buddhism and Judaism, they had a deep meaning - mandalas were objects of worship, symbolizing the Universe. Ancient people painted them, embroidered them on clothes, made patterns from sand, built them as a temple building, and used them for meditation and all kinds of rituals. It was believed that the sacred amulet programs success and luck in all endeavors. This is not just a drawing, but a whole message to the world!

Today mandalas are very popular on the eve New Year's holidays. They are used to decorate space, “art therapy” and help to get closer to the fulfillment of desires. Thus, by coloring a geometric pattern (matrix), a person meditates and tunes his consciousness to a positive wave. And what are the thoughts, so is the reality. It is no coincidence that one wise man said: “Be afraid of your desires, they tend to come true”!

Why are mandalas needed?

You have already figured out what a mandala is. But you just can’t understand why it is needed? Any psychologist will answer you: a sacred pattern allows you to open the subconscious. This unique way find harmony with nature and yourself, bring the fulfillment of desires closer through self-programming.

During creation, the mandala drawing absorbs the positive energy of a person. It reflects the inner world of its creator and is a kind of “frozen prayer.” While coloring a pattern, a person meditates, mentally putting his aspirations and dreams into the drawing.

How to use?

Before you start creating your mandala, prepare a sheet of paper, a compass (or a large plate) and a set of multi-colored pencils (felt-tip pens, paints, liners, gel pens...).

First, draw a circle.
Then, using the chosen color, draw something in the center of the circle. Listen inner voice- let him lead your hand.
Step by step, fill the entire space of the circle with anything. These can be lines, geometric shapes, animal figures... The color scheme can also be anything - as your subconscious suggests.
Once the mandala is ready, you can give it meaning by interpreting colors, symbols and pictures. Train as often as possible and watch how your mandalas change, and at the same time your condition?
If it is difficult for you to draw a mandala on your own, you can purchase special coloring books. Determining color boundaries from a sketch is much easier!

What colors to choose for the mandala and what they mean:

black - a symbol of death, danger and despair
red - symbol of love, survival and blood
blue is the color of secrets, fear and conflicts
lilac is a symbol of excitement and anxiety
blue - source of life, symbol of sky and water
yellow - happiness, well-being
green - understanding, desire to help
orange - emotionality, ambition
purple is the color of dependence on someone emotionally
light green - a sign of a weak energy field

The meaning of some mandalas

All mandala drawings are divided according to their purpose. We will look at the most popular of them, which will help you achieve what you want as quickly as possible. What is a mandala of love, wealth, health, etc. - read below:

Mandala for attracting money. It should be painted in a good mood so that the drawing turns out beautiful and is filled with exceptional positive energy. The secret of this mandala is simple: while coloring it, you need to concentrate your thoughts on speedy financial well-being.
There is a special mandala called “Money Well” - it will help you intuitively feel the sources of money and manage them effectively. The painted mandala should be carried in your wallet or hung in your office. Before making an important financial decision, look at the picture for about 5 minutes. If the spiral in the center spins in both directions, the business will be profitable; if only in one direction, you should be careful!

Mandala for love. Turn on beautiful music and get into a romantic mood. Think about the one you love. Choose pleasant colors and paint your love as you please! This pattern should be hung in the bedroom or stored in a jewelry box.

Mandala for health. Even doctors often say that recovery depends on how much a person wants to get well. So what is a health mandala? This is a pattern that will inspire you to heal yourself! When coloring it, you must sincerely believe in your recovery and mentally drive away the disease from the body. You need to carry the finished mandala with you.

Mandala against stress. In the modern pace of life, it is difficult to avoid stress. Instead of antidepressants, try coloring this mandala! It will distract you from your worries and “cure” you with colorful therapy. The anti-stress mandala works on the same principle as the others: it relaxes, attracts everything positive from the environment.

Mandala for conception. The desire to prolong one's family line is quite natural. But it doesn't come so easily to everyone. What is a conception mandala and how does it work? Her drawing will help you successfully get pregnant, find peace of mind for bearing a child and banish problems with women's health.

Increasingly, in modern needlework you can find plots with symbolism: they promise good luck, happiness, health, well-being... Among them is such a magical image as a mandala. What mysteries does this symbol conceal, why is it considered sacred, where and for what is it used today? We will talk about this in our article.

Embroidered mandala. Photo: in.pinterest.com

And the universe, and the deity, and the cardinal directions

Most often, a mandala is a complex geometric image, a sacred symbol that came to us from the East. Translated from Sanskrit, the word “mandala” means circle. Myself ancient symbol personifies the Universe and is presented as something like a “map of space”.

The main elements of the classical Tibetan mandala are a large (outer) circle, a square inscribed in this circle, and a small (inner) circle serving as the center of the composition. The large circle symbolizes the Universe, the square represents the cardinal directions, and the small circle is the dimension of the Divine. The square is, as it were, divided into four parts, each of which has its own color and a T-shaped exit, like a gate to the Universe. The small circle is segmented into sections, which, as a rule, are shaped like lotus petals.

Tibetan mandala. Photo: ariom.ru

History and higher meaning

The history of the sacred symbol dates back centuries, moreover, goes back more than one millennium. It is believed that the creation of magical images began with the advent of Hinduism and Buddhism. The mandala served for performing religious rituals and meditation. In the East, it is considered so sacred that it can even act as an object of worship. Tibetans believe that mysterious patterns emit vibrations that contribute to the comprehension of some higher meaning.

In the West, the mandala became widespread in the twentieth century thanks to the famous psychiatrist Carl Jung, who began to use magical images in psychotherapy. Today this symbol is still relevant and very popular.

Types of mandalas

The original symbolism of the mandala as iconic image has expanded significantly over time. Many types of mandalas have emerged, including those that are aimed at solving a specific task, for example, fulfilling a desire, gaining happiness, health, peace of mind and peace, etc. A mandala can look in a variety of ways. Indian motifs are often used in the image - patterns that form a design that resembles a flower.

What is a mandala for?

In Hindu and Buddhist practices, mandalas are used to decorate the walls, ceilings and floors of temples, painted and depicted with colored sand, carved from wood and even made from oil. The monks draw the mandala with colored powder on a flat surface (this process can take about two months!). After finishing the work, the drawing is blown away and a new one is started. Making a mandala for them is only as a means of meditation. In the West, in psychotherapy, mandalas are used as a means of understanding one’s inner essence, penetrating the secrets of the subconscious and realizing one’s own purpose. Well, in everyday life, we, ordinary people inexperienced in secret practices, use a mysterious symbol to relieve stress (for example, in coloring books for adults), to create harmony in the house and even to fulfill desires, as a talisman against all misfortunes and an inspiring means.

Creating a mandala from colored sand. Photo: omartasatt.ru

Mandala painted on the ceiling of an Indian temple. Photo: validity.ru

Mandala coloring. Photo: pencilbox.info

DIY mandala

There are many options for creating a mysterious symbol. The simplest of them is coloring. To implement this you can purchasespecial coloring . Mandala embroidery on linen, crocheting, and thread weaving in the style of “String Art” thread design are common. Mysterious patterns are laid out from mosaics, created using the patchwork technique from multi-colored scraps of fabric, sewn from felt, and painted on plates and stones with them.