A mandala is a symbolic arrangement of geometric shapes. Mandalas are used in numerous spiritual traditions to help practitioners and adepts focus their attention, as a spiritual guidance tool, to create a sacred place, and to facilitate meditation and trance induction. It is regarded as a map symbolizing deities in the Eastern faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shintoism. Mandalas first arose as an art form in Buddhist art produced in India during the first-century B.C.E. The mandala is a New Age graphic, chart, or geometric arrangement that metaphysically or symbolically reflects the cosmos. Although it was originally intended to express wholeness and a model for the organizing structure of life itself, a cosmic diagram that depicts the infinite and the cosmos that stretches beyond and within various minds and bodies.

USE IN RELIGIONS:

Hinduism: 

A basic mandala, also known as a yantra in Hinduism, is shaped like a square with four gates containing a circle with a central point. Each gate is shaped like a T in general. Radial balance is common in mandalas. A yantra is comparable to a mandala, except it is usually smaller and uses a narrower color palette. It is thought to symbolize the deity's dwelling. Each yantra is unique, and the rich symbolic geometric designs bring the deity into the practitioner's presence.

Buddhism:

Mandalas have also been developed into sandpainting in Vajrayana Buddhism. They're also an important aspect of Anuttarayoga Tantra meditation. The mandala can be seen as a visual representation of the Vajrayana teachings' essential essence. "A microcosm representing numerous divine powers at work in the universe," the mind is said to be. The nature of the Pure Land, Enlightened mind, is represented by the mandala. Tantric Buddhists often use mandalas as a meditation aid. The outer circle of fire in a mandala usually represents wisdom. A mandala can also represent the entire cosmos, which is generally shown in the middle with Mount Meru as the axis Mundi and the continents surrounding it. 

IT CAN BE USED IN:

ARCHAEOLOGY:

The discovery of five huge mandalas in the valley of Manipur, India, made with Google Earth imagery, is one of the most intense archaeological discoveries in recent years that could change the history of eastern thinking and the tradition of the mandala. The Making geoglyph, which is located in a paddy field west of Imphal, Manipur's city, is possibly the world's largest mud mandala.

IN ARCHITECTURE:

Mandalas were frequently used as the blueprint or plan for Buddhist constructions, such as temple complexes and stupas. The 9th century Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia, is a noteworthy example of mandala construction.

IN SCIENCE:

In phylogenetics, circular diagrams are frequently used, particularly for the graphical representation of phylogenetic relationships. Many species are included in evolutionary trees, which are conveniently displayed on a circular tree with photos of the species on the periphery. Phylogenetic mandalas are the name given to such diagrams.

IN FASHION:

Mandali Mendrilla, a fashion designer, created an interactive art piece called Mandala of Desires (Blue Lotus Wish Tree), which was presented at the China Art Museum in Shanghai in November 2015. The dress's pattern was inspired by the Goloka Yantra mandala, which is formed like a lotus with eight petals.

IN ART THERAPY:

In the world of art therapy, this mandala art acts as psychotherapy, calming down anxiety, fear, or anger. Mandala art therapy and healing can be a wonderful way to reflect on one's own soul. Carl Jung, a psychoanalyst, described it as "a depiction of the unconscious ego." The mandala is commonly regarded as a symbolic representation of its creator. To read more about art therapy click here.

Overall, Mandalas can be used for multiple uses. It heals us spiritually and mentally. The design holds a deeper meaning which is therapeutic and calming when we find the meaning. The journey behind finding the meaning behind a mandala is an important step while viewing a mandala. Read our previous blog about Mandalas for therapy.