Motifs and symbols are those aspects of art forms that are always the best narrators of cultural and religious history and the testaments to contemporary social beliefs in different cultures. The Mandala, apparently a circular geometric pattern with intricate designs woven around and within it, has deep cultural significance all across the world. While in Sanskrit, Mandala refers to the circle or centre, in Buddhist philosophy, mandala is the representation of the universe. From the Jungian psychology perspective, the Mandala is a symbol of a dream indicating the quest for self-unity and fulfilment of a dreamer. Hence, it cannot be denied that the Mandala Art which has become a new artistic trend in the 21st century has its roots deep in the ancient history and cultural tapestries of the world.
In Hindu culture and history, the initial manifestations of the creative Mandala Art could be traced back to the acts of tantrism where the geometric patterns were used as an instrument of meditation and a holy symbol for sacred rights. It was believed to be a meeting point of the universe for all the universal and celestial forces. Representing the Cosmos, the Mandala was the centre of the universe, where man, as a part of the microcosm would enter analogically through meditation.
The significance of the creative Mandala Art, in Japan, China as well as Tibet is quite different as the patterns represent the diverse aspects of the entire universe. One form of Mandala is viewed by the Japanese as Taizo-kai, which is the Garbha Dhatu or Womb World in Sanskrit. Another form is the Japanese Kongo-Kai which is Vajra Dhatu or Diamond or Thunderbolt World in Sanskrit. The Buddhist and the Tibetan ascetics use the Mandala Art and its intricate symbolism for their spiritual journeys by painting them on either cloth or the ground with rice powders, or white or coloured threads. The representation of the Mandala art in Tibetan culture is very fascinating as it is painted as a cloth scroll painting also known as Tanka where the symbols are believed to be of Self-borne Buddhas and images of other divine figures. On the other hand, in Jainism, the creative Mandala Art illustrates images of Mahavira or any other Tirthankar representing the different paths to spiritual liberation. Native Americans use the symbol of creative Mandala Art as a very significant cultural motif that represents man’s journey from birth to death and the circle of life where man and nature are unified spiritually. They hold the mandala art to be a portal to connect with their ancestors through religious rites and ceremonies. In Christianity however, the Mandala Art is believed to be the all-encompassing circle representing the wholeness of everything surrounded by God which is a symbol mostly used for meditation.
Flourishing as a significant motif and art form across different cultural contexts, the Mandala Art is mainly of three types, serving a variety of purposes that are both spiritual and artistic. These three types of Mandalas are healing mandalas, teaching mandalas, and sand mandalas. The teaching mandalas are symbolic, colourful, and mental maps illustrating the different aspects of religion and philosophy. The learners project whatever they have learned through a visual representation of the creative Mandala art. The sand mandala is mainly popular in Navajo and Buddhist cultures as a traditional and religious symbol representing the transience of human existence. The most fascinating part is that in Buddhist culture once the creative Mandala Art is created through sand art after painstaking efforts for weeks, it is destroyed immediately to reinstate the Buddhist ideology that everything is transient. The healing mandalas are more complicated and intuitive than the other forms of mandalas which are exclusively used for meditation. Focusing on these mandalas during meditation helps to acquire wisdom and bring more calmness to the mind.
In modern times also, Creative Mandala art is widely used as patterns in dream catchers which are believed to be symbols to protect people when they are sleeping from negative energy in the Western countries. For the Native Americans, the Mandala Art has been elevated as a form of healing that restores the power of the heart, body, and mind. Owing to its spiritual implications, Mandala Art is placed in different meditation studios in specific positions. In the field of yoga as well, Mandalas represent the same sacredness, the presence of which eliminates any kind of negative external influence.
With its deep cultural connotations and spiritual elements, the creative Mandala Art has transcended religious, healing, and teaching purposes and has become a mode of relaxing art for many adults and children alike. Doodling a mandala art in free time as a leisurely activity is believed to be a mode of self-expression that can also be filled with colours and intricate designs which is a kind of catharsis after a very stressful day. The more intricate the design of the Mandala art, the greater the concentration, and the more colours are filled in, the more relieved an individual feels. So, the next time you feel overburdened with stress and need an outlet that is more creative and interesting at the same time, you can push aside the tendrils of all the worries, anxiety, and negative thoughts and let the trail of geometric patterns in your mandala art unravel your creativity slowly and soothe you with its unmistakeable therapeutic effect. That way, an amalgamation of art and cultural symbols will help you extract the most troubling thoughts out of your mind and embrace peace.
