Rachel Martin

Cap Diamond

The Art of Mandalas

Preface and Purpose

After having learned about multiple types of ancient art forms in AP world history, I

wanted to delve deeper into the one I found most interesting: mandalas. My main purpose in

researching and creating a mandala is to put an emphasis on the importance of understanding the

history of cultural practices. Being able to fully understand the origins of specific artforms is a

privilege and must always be at the forefront of any artistic activity recreating a culture’s

tradition. In eighth grade, we made mandalas in our elective art class but we never learned

anything about the rich history of the art we were creating. I believe this was a mistake on the

school’s part and I wanted to actually understand why mandalas began. Not knowing the history

behind certain artforms and creating it incorrectly could lead to disrespect and even cultural

misappropriation. Before making any of my own mandalas, I researched extensively what they

meant to the people creating them and how those people created them.

A main focus in our AP world history class was understanding the shifts and changes

among ancient empires and dynasties. We looked at how they interacted with each other and how

they differed in cultures and practices. Although hard at times, AP world history showed me how

diverse our world really is, besides skin color, through practices and traditions. Every person has

their own set of beliefs and morals that is individual to them. However, most people across the

globe have also belonged to communities with others that have similar lifestyles. As I created my

mandala I made sure I understood, as much as I could, the community I was making art from. It

is important to learn about these diverse practices and traditions before calling them your own.
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History of Mandalas

Mandalas are a Buddhist and Hindu art form originating back to the fourth century,

mainly produced in ​Tibet, India, Nepal, China, Japan, Bhutan, and Indonesia. As we learned in

AP world history, Buddhism is a religion that encourages the search of the true meaning of

reality (​Berzin, Alexander​). Hinduism mainly focuses on the notion that an individual’s truth is

constructed by multiple factors such as age, gender, race, geographic location, and so on. This

leads to a broad view of religious identity within Hinduism, meaning people may have slight

variations in their beliefs but this is accepted because Hinduism is considered a way of life rather

than a set of beliefs (​Basham, Arthur Llewellyn​). Mandalas often represent or symbolize

something that the artist wants to portray. These images can range from worshipping gods, to

mapping out a palace, to a philosophical search for happiness (​Berzin, Alexander​).

How Ancient Mandalas were Created

The first way of making mandalas is by outlining and painting the design from the center

outward. In the earlier centuries, there were usually five steps followed by every serious

religiously affiliated painter. The painters themselves could be monks or painters whose entire

family worked in the art of mandala painting. The five steps include preparing the painting

surface, establishing the design by sketch, applying the initial coats of paint, shading and

outlining the design, and finally, adding any finishing touches (​“Exploring the Mandala”​).

The second and more time consuming way of creating mandalas is through the use of

colored sand. Before beginning, the artists chants a prayer. Then, begins the long and arduous

process. Similar to process outlined above, the mandala is outlined from the center outward.
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Then, the colored sand is funneled through a long metal tube called a Chakpu. Since rice

mandalas are created in the “spirit of impermanence and non attachment,” they are swept away

after a ceremony and usually offered to “the body of water for the benefit of marine life, the

environment and all sentient beings” (​“Tibetan Mandala Painting”​). After sitting for hours on

end the artists wipe away their art in devotion to their own beliefs.

Modern Mandala making

In today’s society, mandalas have become a way for people to cope with stress and

anxiety. Mandala making is being used widely in art therapy as it “​is considered both therapeutic

and symbolic” (​“Mandala Art”​). Many people have created their own blogs where they post

videos of themselves making mandalas and tutorials to guide others. These newer forms of the

art of mandalas, have ties that go back to the traditional ways but also newer entities. First, there

isn’t always a large ceremony before or after the creation of the mandala. It could just be

someone doodling on a piece of paper. Next, there are also new symbols used in the designs that

mean different things to the artists. Sadly, everyone creating these colorful wheel shaped

masterpieces may not know the practice’s rich history and culture. As time goes on and art forms

adapt, it becomes more and more important to remember the traditional cultural practices so as

not to lose them completely.

The Symbols of Mandalas

In both traditional and modern mandala making, different symbols typically hold similar

meanings among most artists. The first traditional symbol is the Yantra, a repetitive geometric
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pattern. This symbol is usually portrays the embodiment of a specific deity. Next, the celtic cross

is a traditional symbol originating from Western European nations, like Ireland. The Celtic cross

is a representation of the transition between heaven and earth and signifies unity, balance, and

energy. Another traditional symbol in mandala making is the wheel, a circular design pattern. In

Buddhism, the wheel represents the circle of life and the search for enlightenment. The lotus

flower, a traditional Buddhist symbol, represents balance and unity. It resembles a symmetrical

flower and can also hold meaning to the connection with the divine. The final significant

traditional symbol is the Vajra which represents conviction in beliefs and a strong spirit

(​“Mandala Symbols”​).

While mandala making dates back thousands of years, modern mandala making is just as

alive and thriving, with many expressive symbols. Since the sun supports and sustains life on

earth, sun symbols in modern mandala making are connected with energy and prospering. Hearts

are universally recognized as love and devotion symbols but, since hearts are also an essential

organ for survival, they can also be connected to life. The next symbol in modern mandala

making is the tree of life, with branches representing groundedness and leaves symbolizing

aspiration. There are also animal symbols that represent different things based the nature of the

specific animal. Lions may convey anger and strength while doves may convey love and

freedom. Finally, there’s the labyrinth design, which has been significant since the beginning of

mandalas but remains to be a very popular in modern times. Labrinths can represent a path or

journey that ends in wholeness and enlightenment (​“Mandala Symbols”​). When analyzing and

appreciating this intricate art form, it is very important to understand certain universal symbols to

recognize the piece’s meaning.

Examples of Mandalas

9/11 sand mandala, promoted healing, strength and power, created by Tibetan monks (​“Tibetan

Monks)​.

Mandala of Vishnu, depiction of an Indian Deity, created in Nepal, 1420, presently located at the

Los Angeles County museum of art (​“Item: Mandala of Vishnu”​)

Kalachakra Sand Mandala, the “Wheel of Time”, represents a deity that represents certain

aspects of the enlightened mind (​“Kalachakra Sand Mandala”​).

Conclusion

Over the course of this project, I’ve noticed something I didn’t think I would before.

Mandalas are used around the world to aid in mental healing and the search for happiness. As a

high schooler, I am constantly doubting my abilities to succeed and questioning whether I am

good enough. This is something I feel all of peers have struggled with as well, being insecure

and unsure of the future. I have unintentionally come up with a means of dealing with all of these

insecurities and doubts. As well as representing what truly matters to us, the process of making

mandalas, I’ve come to learn, can be very relaxing and offer a creative outlet for any stress. Not

only does creating beautiful pieces of artwork help the psyche but also contributes to a rich

culture dating back thousands of years.

The importance of understanding the history behind certain cultural activities stretches

beyond things we learn in AP world history. It applies to everything from rap music to hairstyles
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to clothing. When a culture is misappropriated, it isolates those who feel they’ve been

disrespected. It tells them that when their own family and friends wear their hair a certain way

it’s ugly, but when a white person does it, she’s praised. Especially in today’s heated political

climate, it is important that we stick together and make sure to understand where we all come

from. Although mandala art is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu art form, cultures I am not a part

of, I made sure to research as much as I could so as not to repeat my eighth grade art project,

where we learned nothing about the cultures behind the art we were creating. As I go through

life, I will always try to be more aware of the people around, and do as much as I can to learn

and understand the origins of different artforms and people.

Works Cited

Basham, Arthur Llewellyn, et al. “Hinduism.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica​, Encyclopædia

Britannica, Inc., 7 Feb. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism.

Berzin, Alexander. “Explanation of Mandalas: Their Meaning and Use.” ​Study Buddhism​, Berzin

Archives E.V., studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/vajrayana.

“Exploring the Mandala.” ​Asia Society​, asiasociety.org/exploring-mandala.

“Item: Mandala of Vishnu (Indian God).” ​Painting Style: Yuan Period Art, Araniko School​,

www.himalayanart.org/items/85720.

“Kalachakra Sand Mandala: Wheel of Time.” ​Do Buddhist Believe in God?​,

www.buddhanet.net/kalimage.htm.

“Mandala Art Is Making Its Way into Popular Culture. Are You in the Know? - Shutterstock

Blog India.” ​Shutterstock.com​, The Shutterstock Blog, 12 Sept. 2017,

www.shutterstock.com/blog/india/mandala-art-making-way-popular-culture-know.

“Mandala Symbols.” ​Mandalas For The Soul​, www.mandalasforthesoul.com/mandala-symbols/.

“Tibetan Mandala Painting.” ​THEORIES OF MYTH​, people.hws.edu/yignyen/mandalas.html.

“Tibetan Monks to Complete Mandala Today.” ​Thailand | United Nations Endorses Thai

Buddhist Economic Model​,

www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62%2C765%2C0%2C0%2C1%2C0#.Wxe6ya3

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