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| A traditional Buddhist sand mandala. |
Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning "a container of essence". It has
also be translated, less literally, as "the universe and everything in
it" and includes the circumference, the center, and everything in
between. Other translation attempts give us sacred assembly, essence
container, circle with a center, mystic circle, and sacred circle among
others.
In the west the word mandala has become the term used for artwork in a
circular form, specifically two-dimensional work constructed in a
concentric format, usually rather complex with symmetrical divisions.
The four sides or corners are reminiscent of the four cardinal compass
directions. In some traditions the circle and square together represents
the connection between our spiritual (circle) and physical (square)
natures.
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| An Eritrean woven mat. |
The circle is one of very few virtually universal symbols throughout
history and across cultures, representing eternity, wholeness,
protection and unity. The mandala is symbolic of balance,
transformation, and the interconnection of all things. Mandalas can be
found both in nature and of human design in everything from a bicycle
wheel to Stonehenge, from a cross-section of an orange to a whirling
galaxy.
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| A fern: one of many natural mandala forms. |
As a symbolic image the mandala suits me well due to a life-long
interest in other cultures and spirituality. I can explore many
elements which are of interest to me such as color, detail, and geometry
(the only math I really enjoy!). I draw on cultural, natural,
decorative, spiritual and symbolic sources from around the globe.
When I create a mandala I greatly enjoy exploring color and shapes and
ideas and media, but I am also alluding to the interconnection of
everything in creation and my belief in the oneness of humanity.
