A brief explanation of my understanding of the origins and background of the mandala.
The question you might ask is “Where does the word Mandala come from and what does it mean?” We
find mandalas in the east and the word ‘mandala’ is a Sanskrit word in origin,
meaning circle. It is geometric in design and often intended to symbolize the
universe, world or earth. The design can be a circle within a square or a square
with in a circle. It is considered sacred and contains symbolism of deities,
temples or palaces etc.
In the strict sense of the word ‘mandala’ originates from the east and is part of an eastern practice which aid meditation and enlightenment as well as a teaching to the viewers. The Tibetan Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus all have their own forms of mandalas.
How is a Buddhist mandala constructed?
In brief: The mandala, as a sacred space, is divided into
four quadrants. Four monks work on one
mandala, one monk per quadrant. These monks, who make the outlines, have an
assistant who applies the colour. Each quadrant faces away from the draftsman
and towards the centre where the deity or god of the mandala (particular selection)
is situated. The details are drawn as if
the deity is the viewer from all sides, inside towards the outside. At the centre the god lives in a temple or
palace with walls and gates facing each quadrant, looking out towards the outer
skirts of the world: north, south, east and west. The centre is the focus. The
god could be one of love or wrath or peace etc. There are many symbols, such as
bells and scrolls, but these details are not the focus of this post. The god/
deity are always placed in the centre, symbolically representing his/her power
emanating out into the universe.
You find the circle in nature and used in different cultures
One finds the circle: in nature, e.g.: flower, shells, and solar
system: sun, moon, earth, stars. The eye is one of the most significant in
cultures as it represents ‘the person’ or soul or God’s/Deity’s watchful
presence. It is interesting to note that even a child, as early as 3 or 4 draws
circles; after scribbling, which is a spontaneous hand movement; the circle is
one of the first things children draw (Betty Edwards and ViKtor Lowenfeld).
In many cultures, right around the world, the circle is used as a symbol. Primitive cultures often use art (painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and/or architecture) for sacred rituals. Here is a list of examples of how the circle is used in different cultures. I have repeated some as they fall into two categories:
In many cultures, right around the world, the circle is used as a symbol. Primitive cultures often use art (painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and/or architecture) for sacred rituals. Here is a list of examples of how the circle is used in different cultures. I have repeated some as they fall into two categories:
Religious, sacred or spiritual rituals
·
Rings (wedding bands, eternity rings etc.)
·
American Indian medicine wheel (or sacred hoops)
– stones laid as a wheel on the ground e.g bighorn national Forest, Wyoming,
dated back to monolithic and megalithic people. It has a centre stone with
spokes built in stone radiating out to a circumference of stone. We don’t know
what its original function or meaning was about.
·
Navajo and Tibetan monks use sand mandalas in
very different ways.
Eastern Religions: The Hindu (Kolam), the Tibetan Buddhist (Mandala)
as well as the Yoga (Yantra) are all types of mandalas used for sacred purposes
such as, ‘control’ or meditation and enlightenment (teaching).
·
New age, Wicca, and the pagan has used elements
of the mandala or other circles. They have incorporated them to make meaning in
their belief systems.
·
Jungian Psychology (see next post for fuller explanation)
Daily rituals
·
Rings (wedding bands, eternity rings etc.) Not
only are they used in milestone rituals but they become part of the daily use of
symbolically marking who the person is or what they stand for.
·
Yoga: Yantra is a type of mandala used in yoga. It
is a tool, using a deity, in gaining control over certain things.
·
Sufi Circular Dancing: the Mevlana (Rumi)
whirling dervishes in Turkey, used in meditation and many other culture’s folk
dancing and Celtic dancing.
·
Astrological zodiac
·
Aztec circular calendars
·
Indian dream catchers: the legend of some American
Indians, such as the Lakota, believe that it is a spider web that catches the
good dreams and visions meant for the person and other American Indians, such
as the Navajo, Ojibwe and Chippewa, believe that if hung up it catches the bad
dreams so that they don’t affect a person.
·
New age, Wicca, and the pagan has used elements
of the mandala or other circles. They have incorporated them to make meaning in
their belief systems.
Architectural
·
American Indian medicine wheel (or sacred hoops)
– stones laid as a wheel on the ground e.g bighorn national Forest, Wyoming,
dated back to momolithic and megalithic people. It has a centre stone with
spokes built in stone radiating out to a circumference of stone. We don’t know
what its original function or meaning was about.
·
Labyrinths in Crete and Africa: some of the oldest labyrinths date back as early as 1500BC, such as the Cretan Labyrinth found on the coins of the Island of Crete. Others such as the early Christian labyrinth of the basilica of Algeria dates back to 300AD. Another labyrinth created in France, 1201AD, by medieval Christians is found stone floor of Chartres Cathedral.
·
Pantheon – a sacred Roman building erected for all
the many gods.
·
Christianity – Cathedrals: Durham, Chartres and
Notre Dame Cathedrals rose stained glass windows and many other historical
buildings and churches.
Stone circles around the world – Newgrang (Ireland), Maeshowe (Scotland), Stonehendge (England). There are also circular constructions in Australia.
Stone circles around the world – Newgrang (Ireland), Maeshowe (Scotland), Stonehendge (England). There are also circular constructions in Australia.
Islamic geometry
Two examples of western people
Hildegard von Bingen – Christian nun 12th century - visions
and beliefs
Jung – psychology: the most important archetype of self.
The circle may be symbolic for many concepts such as: ‘one entity’
such as the human or unique self; the merging and separation; body, mind and
soul; womb; universe and eternity; and wholeness, unity, community, connection,
and completion.
The uses
As one can see the circle has many uses, sacred and secular.
The circle is in use worldwide, in some form, whether it is called a mandala or
labyrinth a circle, wheel or ring. The mandala, coming from the eastern
religions, has been one of the tools that Jung has assimilated into western psychology.
Jung used the concepts of visualisation where images are internalized. So Jung
encouraged the people to focus on the centre and allow the ordering/ organizing
to work its way out to the circumference of the circle; symbolising the centre of the self and the cohesion
working its way out to the far reaching issues of ones’ life.
I like the comparison of the impermanence of life demonstrated
in the sand mandalas of the Navajo and Tibetan monks as they slowly blow away
in the wind or are cleaned away with the permanent nature of the Greek and African
labyrinths. Impermanence speaks to me of letting go and being free while
permanence speaks of the need of ritual, structure, constancy and security of
things always being in place.
There are those that say that the root ‘manda’ means essence
and its suffix is ‘la’ meaning container. I like to think of the mandala as being
symbolic of a container for our essence. When we express ourselves through our
creativity it leads us into an awareness of ourselves. The mandala is a
wonderful way to explore and express this inner energy of ourselves. We make
manifest what was once hidden.
This is a vast topic and I have merely skimmed over the
subject to give you a brief explanation of what Mandala means. The other two posts cover Jung’s mandalas and my personal take.
What I have written is my impressions and understanding from all the information I have read.
References here at:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-dream-catchers.htm
http://www.labyrinth.org.uk/historypage1.html
http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/mandala.htm
Buddhist mandala http://www.exoticindiaart.com/mandala.htm
Newgrange http://www.exoticindiaart.com/mandala.htm
books:
http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/mandala.htm
Buddhist mandala http://www.exoticindiaart.com/mandala.htm
Newgrange http://www.exoticindiaart.com/mandala.htm
books:
C. Malchiodi. The art
therapy sourcebook. 2nd
edition New York: mc Graw Hill, 2007
B. Edwards. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
1st edition London: Harper
Collins publishers, 1992 
