Mandala art
A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation. In the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Shintoism it is used as a map representing deities. A mandala generally represents the spiritual journey, starting from outside to the inner core, through layers. It represents a time-microcosm of the universe, but it originally meant to represent wholeness and a model for the organisational structure of life itself. It’s a cosmic diagram that shows the relation to the infinite and the world that extends beyond and within various minds & bodies.
History:
Mandala as an art form first appeared in Buddhist art. Through meditation and following a path of thought and action, Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, attained enlightenment, freeing himself from the cycle of death and rebirth. As Buddhist monks travelled a major trade route through Asia, they brought Buddhism to many other lands. They carried mandalas with them and brought the practice of creating these art works to other parts of Asia. The earliest evidence of Buddhist mandala art dates to the first century B.C. but appeared in other regions, such as Tibet, China, and Japan by the fourth century. Although rooted in Buddhism, mandalas later became present in Hinduism, and other religious practices.
Proliferation:
A) Hinduism: In Hinduism, a basic mandala, also called a Yantra, takes the form of a square with four gates containing a circle with a centre point. Despite its cosmic meanings a Yantra is reality lived. Because of the relationship that exists in the Tantras between the outer world (the macrocosm) and man’s inner world (the microcosm), every symbol in a Yantra is ambivalently resonant in inner–outer synthesis, and is associated with the subtle body and aspects of human consciousness.
B) Buddhism: In Buddhism, mandalas represent the ideal form of the universe. The act of creating a mandala represents the transformation of the universe from a reality of suffering to one of enlightenment. While Tibetan Buddhists see the centre of the mandala as an awakened being at the centre of the universe, the centre also represents the beginning of each person’s journey toward knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. In Tibet, the mandala is called Khyil-khor, which refers to the centre of all creation where a truly awakened being lives, taking the meaning further than the Sanskrit reference. Mandala Sand Art in Tibetan Buddhism is ritually created through a long and detailed process, and each piece is then destroyed to symbolize the interconnectivity of life.
C) Other: The mandala is a hallmark in Buddhism and Hinduism and also found in Christianity and Judaism. Islamic art is often full of dense geometric patterns and has many examples of mandalas.The symbolism of the mandala’s central point and its outward radiating patterns have come to represent man’s connection with the spiritual. The vast rose windows of Gothic Cathedrals are some of the ultimate examples in Western cultures.
Present Unique Status:
A) Deep connection: Mandalas make it easier to connect with the most intimate parts of yourself and guiding you along the path of self-knowledge. They bring harmony, because energies flow through all their shapes and colours. These energies can transform negative things into positive ones, and bring balance to your life. the mandalas go from the centre and outwards that helps you to connect with yourself, free yourself, rebuild yourself, and create a relationship with yourself.
B) Psychology: Mandalas have been recognised by psychology as a therapeutic tool. In the 20th century, the birth of modern psychoanalysis also brought the mandala’s use into traditional forms of therapy. Carl Jung was perhaps the biggest advocate of mandalas, both as an archetype representing the human self and as a way to visually express this concept of self through drawing. Modern art therapy often uses mandalas both as diagnostic aids and as therapeutic interventions for conditions like anxiety and schizophrenia. There are also multiple different branches of psychology that have talked about their benefits. Transpersonal psychology perceives mandalas as a kind of exercise for deep connection. Cognitive and Behavioural psychology see it as a tool to improve things like memory, attention, perception, and visuomotor coordination. People use them in occupational therapy because the cognitive stimulation helps people do their daily activities. People also use them in educational purposes to help students with concentration, attention, and discipline. Creating mandalas offered a “safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness”
C) In Science: Circular diagrams are often used in Phylogenetics, especially for the graphical representation of phylogenetic relationships. Evolutionary trees often encompass numerous species that are conveniently shown on a circular tree, with images of the species shown on the periphery of a tree. Such diagrams have been called phylogenetic mandalas.
D) In Contemporary Use: Fashion designer Mandali Mendrilla designed an interactive art installation called Mandala of Desires (Blue Lotus Wish Tree) made in peace silk and eco-friendly textile ink. The pattern of the dress was based on the Goloka Yantra Mandala, shaped as a lotus with eight petals. Now mandala is represented in new and unique forms, not only in circles but many different forms, shapes, jewellery designs, wall paintings, rangoli and even through different traditional artforms and silhouettes.
Types of Mandala Art Forms to be Learned:
A) Dot mandala: Dot painting was originated from aboriginal Australia. Dot mandala is a therapeutic fusion of this unique art form and Mandala art form. Its eye catching but requires more concentration.
B) Half Mandala or Fractional Mandala: Fractional Mandala is often presented in half or quarter, or can be said a part of mandala instead of the whole, is drawn which often includes more detailing or to show more creativity in a reduced space or time.
C) 3D Mandala: In present times, 3D is always a new fashion and of course eye catching. 3D mandala is the mandala form with slight touch or realistic 3D effects which is often mesmerising.
D) Contour Mandala: Mandala is more often represented in circles. But Contour mandala is the type of mandala which is represented in different shapes, physiques, profiles and formats. They are often many circular mandalas together that are cut into profiles or mandala designs represented in a specific shape.
E) Fusion Mandala: Fusion mandala is the fusion of traditional art forms and modern art forms both embedded in a specific mandala art. It also includes cubism, realism and perspective forms. It can also be called as the fusion of all the types of mandala mentioned before.
Check out Creative Fusion Mandala Art done by me in the “MY WORKS” section of my site.
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