Mandala is an ancient Sanskrit word that means circle and is a symbol for perfection, eternity, unity and completeness. Examples of mandalas in nature include spider webs, flowers and snowflakes. Spiritual examples include Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas, Native American medicine wheels and sand paintings, stained glass rose windows, and the prayer beads used by many religions.
Mandalas are often used as meditation tools. They are designed to be visually appealing in order to still the mind and calm chaos in one’s life. The symmetrical order leads the eye to the center, which is symbolic of each person’s journey to the center of their “self.” In fact, experts often consider mandalas to be maps of the soul or on a cosmic level, maps of the Universe.
Being drawn to a particular mandala can be a symbol of a step in one’s personal journey. Gazing upon the mandala can be calming for the heart and soul. Mandalas may be specially created for an individual as a representation of their journey. Much as a photograph or a painting is representational of the outer world, a mandala is a representation of the inner world.
