Everyday Opinions: What is a Mandala? Eastern origins and other world cultures.

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:

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.

 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.rinpoche.com/teachings/mandala.htm

http://www.crystalinks.com/labyrinths.html

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:

C. Malchiodi.  The art therapy sourcebook.  2^nd edition New York: mc Graw Hill, 2007

B. Edwards. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. 1^st edition London: Harper  Collins publishers, 1992