What is a Mandala?
This is the question this article is asking and hopefully answering. If you've heard the term Mandala, then I expect you associate it with either Buddhism, Eastern religion or the New Age. It's true the origins of the mandala are closely linked to 'spiritual' and philosophical practices like these.
So what is a mandala?
Very simply it is a complex image or art work, which usually is circular and has strong elements of both symmetry and balance within it.
In Religion
The creation of mandalas in buddhism are actually meditational processes, it is the creation of the work, not the final image which is of most importance. Their creation can be slow and detailed, taking many hours of close concentration. It is this focus of the mind on a balanced and harmonious image that is the key to the use of the mandala in religions.
In Modern Art
In secular terms mandala are often colorful and beautiful works of art. Even the amazing cathedral Rose windows throughout Europe can be seen as a form of Mandala. In more recent times artists such as Damien Hurst have been inspired by the mandala in some of his abstract works. He once used butterflies stuck down in a circular form which looked very mandalic.
Why not have a go at painting your own mandala art, there are many simple black and white outlines of mandalas available on the net which you can simply download and then color yourself. Go on, give it a try!.
For more discussion on the question of What is a Mandala?
Where there are many resources like how to make a Mandala and Mandala Art in general
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