by atmara | Nov 25, 2013 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
When we think of mandalas we usually think of either sand paintings (see http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/mandala/mandala.htm/ for some beautiful examples) or paintings done with traditional media: paint, ink, paper, canvas, etc. In recent years we can add computer generated mandala paintings as well. But I have been amazed at some other unique and creative ways people have thought of to make mandalas and want to share some of these with you.
1. Virginia Fleck (http://virginiafleck.com/) makes mandalas from recycled plastic bags. You can visit her website and also read this interesting interview with her at HomeWorkshop.com (http://www.homeworkshop.com/2010/10/29/hidden-beauty-in-the-disposable/)
2. I’ve found several sources of crochet mandalas. One is Nancy’s Crochet: Christmas Mandalas (http://crochetnuts-place.blogspot.com/2010/10/christmas-mandalas.html) and the other is Crochet with Raymond – Getting Some Mandala Action (http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/gettingsome-mandala-action/)
3. I’ve found crystal mandalas in several forms: Julion Craft – Crystal Mandalas (http://julionr.blogspot.com/2010/10/crystal-mandalas.html) and A Blissful Existance’s Healing Crystal Webs on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=146311&id=100723860914)
4. Amy Swagman creates Birth Art Mandalas (http://themandalajourney.com/) – and while she uses traditional media, the subject of her mandalas is uncommon and the mandalas extraordinarily beautiful and unique.
5. Joe Mangrum creates Sand Mandalas on urban streets (http://www.joemangrum.com/artnews/sand-paintings/), something quite different from traditional Buddhist sand mandalas.
6. Clare Ultimo creates Word Mandalas (http://www.clareultimo.com/word-mandalas.php) combining images and words.
7. I’ve found several quilters who make mandalals: Mandala quilt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48276978@N02/4424944219/?addedcomment=1#) and Dream It Then Create It (http://jspcreate.blogspot.com/2010/06/back-to-quilting-finally.html)
8. Howard G. Charing’s site shows shamanism and ayahuasca art mandalas (http://www.shamanism.cc/en/the-ayahuasca-visions-of-pablo-amaringo-article-from-sacred-hoop-magazine-71/)
9. And then there are the Human Mandalas like 7 Sisters Human Mandala (http://beeuniversal.org/?p=67) and (http://beeuniversal.org/?page_id=11)
10. One really unique medium for mandala is seen at Spicy Mandalas – Crafts Home – Falafel and the Bee (http://www.falafelandthebee.com/?p=4050). I’m not sure what you do with these after they are finished, but they do seem a fun family project for a rainy day.
There are, I’m sure, many other examples of unique and creative media used for mandala making. These are what I’ve encountered so far. If you know of more list them in the comments below.
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I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
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by atmara | Sep 16, 2013 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
If you have ever wondered why every mandala that you see is round in shape, it is because the English word circle is translated from the Sanskrit word mandala. Although you may have been recently introduced to the term, it is certainly nothing new. In fact, the idea behind mandala was used in many religions, thousands of years ago, long before it began its rise in popularity in the Sanskrit world.
Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of the Naropa tradition
The powerful circular form of the mandala is prevalent in Buddhist and Hindu religions. You will notice four gates in the shape of a T that extend from the center point in these pieces, showing the circle of unity. Vajrayana is a Tibetan branch of Buddhism that offer total enlightenment by creating their mandalas as sandpaintings. Of course, this is certainly not the only example of mandala used in religion.
Tibetan monks making a temporary “Sand-Mandala”
in the City-Hall of Kitzbuehel in Austria.
The moji-mandala is a common form you will find in Nichiren Buddhism. It’s created as a wooden tablet or a hanging paper scroll. These not only hold inscriptions of Chinese characters but medieval Sanskrit as well to cover Buddha’s concepts, enlightenment and protective elements as well as other gods of Buddha. Nichiren religions worship this form of mandala, also referred to as Gohonzon.
Two and three-dimensional mandalas with geometric angles are used in meditation in Hindu rituals. Referred to as Yantras in this case, it is believed that the gods live within them. Therefore, each Yantras is unique to one god. Individuals who use Yantras for worship are able to seek the presence of these gods to ask for guidance.
A diagramic drawing of the Sri Yantra, showing the outside square,
with four T shaped gates, and the central circle.
Those who practice the Christian religion may be familiar with mandala in the form of rosary, halos, Crown of Thorns, rosy cross, rose windows and Celtic crosses. These are all used by worshipers to feel closer to God.
Interior of the rose at Strasbourg Cathedral.
For many centuries, the Bora Ring site has been used for initiation rituals by Australian natives. The girdle or circular belt worn by the acolytes is referred to as the Bora. Intricate stone arrangements such as Stonehenge offer a close relation to the mandala and Bora Ring. Creator-spirit Baiame is represented in ancient art and rock carvings as a mandalan figure.
You will find a collection of both inner and outer circles when viewing a mandala. These offer a different representation depending on which religious group is viewing the piece. Native-Americans have also used the mandala form in their culture. The inner mandala supports offerings pertaining to the body while the outer supports human senses.
You may or may not be familiar with labyrinths which are closely related to the mandala as they both take you on a circular journey toward the heart of the piece. Minotaur of ancient mythology was the inspiration behind the first labyrinth being built so that it could be held safely. The labyrinth’s center is viewed as being divine just as the mandala’s center offers enlightenment.
Labyrinth
The greatest of mandalas is the spiral or circle of life. Trusting in your beliefs will give you the truest meaning. These are the strong beliefs that send you on an inner journey as you observe and are surrounded by the outer world, just as the mandala began its journey in the Sanskrit world.
Article by Epouna
www.meaningofmandalas.com
Images from Wikimedia Commons
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I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
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