The Mandala

Carl Jung Mandala
Self, according to Carl Jung, signifies the unification of consciousness and unconsciousness in a
person, and representing the psyche as a whole. It is realized as the product of individuation,
which in his view is the process of integrating various aspects of one's personality.
The human psyche is imbedded in the past, present and future. It consists of conscious and
unconscious elements, masculine and feminine traits, rational and irrational impulses,
spiritualistic and animalistic tendencies and the tendency to bring these contradicting behaviors
into harmony with each other.
Self-actualization is achieved when such harmony exists. But self-actualization must be sought, it
does not happen automatically.
Mandala is the symbol for the self. It is a Sanskrit word which means circle. It is found in the
writings and art of cultures. Mandalas represent the synthesis or union of opposites within the
psyche that occurs when individuals attain self-actualization.
Components of the Psyche

1) Ego – everything of which we are conscious. It is concerned with thinking, feeling,
remembering, and perceiving. It is responsible for seeing the functions of everyday life
carried out; for our sense of identity and sense of continuity in time.
2) Personal unconscious – consists of materials that were once conscious but were repressed or
forgotten , or were not vivid enough to make a conscious impression at first. Materials in the
personal unconscious are readily available to the person and there is a great deal of
interaction between the id and the ego. It contains clusters of emotionally loaded thoughts
which yung called complex.
Complex – is a personally disturbing constellation of ideas connected together by a common
feeling-tone.
Carl Jung and Complexes
Our personalities are made up of many such complexes. When a complex is activated it can
become dominant, we can think of 'being in the grip of a complex'. In an inferiority
complex, the complex is activated by some sort of injury or offence that is felt by the inferior
part of us.
3) Collective unconscious – the collective experiences during a revolutionary past or the

accumulation of ancestral experiences.
4) Persona – Latin word for “mask” or “one’s public self”.
5) Archetypes – archetypes are innate patterns of thought and behavior that strive for realization
within an individual's environment.
Anima – the female component of the male psyche.
Animus – the masculine component of the female psyche.
6) Shadow – the darkest and deepest part of the psyche. It is part of the collective unconscious
that we inherit from our pre-human ancestors and contains all the animal instincts. The
animal nature of the shadow is a source of vitality, spontaneity and creativity.
7) Word associations – a test used by Jung to detect complexes.
8) The self – the component of the psyche that attempts to harmonize all the other components.
Color psychology
Red: Red is often associated with strong emotions such as passion, love, power, and energy. It can evoke
feelings of excitement, intensity, and urgency. Red can also stimulate appetite and is often used to draw
attention.
Blue: Blue is often associated with calmness, tranquility, and stability. It can create a sense of relaxation
and is often perceived as a peaceful color. Blue is also linked to trust, dependability, and productivity.
Yellow: Yellow is associated with positivity, happiness, and optimism. It can elicit feelings of joy,
enthusiasm, and energy. Yellow is often used to grab attention and can stimulate mental activity and
creativity.
Green: Green is often associated with nature, growth, and harmony. It can create a sense of balance,
renewal, and tranquility. Green is also linked to healing, fertility, and abundance. It can have a calming
effect on the mind and is often associated with environmental awareness.
Orange: Orange is associated with warmth, enthusiasm, and vitality. It can evoke feelings of excitement,
energy, and optimism. Orange is often used to create a sense of fun and playfulness. It can also stimulate
appetite and is often used in food-related industries.
Purple: Purple is often associated with spirituality, creativity, and luxury. It can evoke feelings of
mystery, imagination, and introspection. Purple is also linked to royalty and can symbolize power and
elegance.
Pink: Pink is associated with femininity, tenderness, and nurturing. It can evoke feelings of affection,
love, and compassion. Pink is often used to create a soothing and gentle atmosphere.
Black: Black is often associated with sophistication, formality, and mystery. It can evoke feelings of
elegance, power, and authority. Black is also linked to introspection and can create a sense of depth and
mystery.
White: White is associated with purity, innocence, and simplicity. It can evoke feelings of cleanliness,
freshness, and clarity. White is often used to create a sense of spaciousness and can be calming and
peaceful.
Activity:
Create Your own Mandala
1) Think of 7-10 symbols to represent your own mandala.

2) Arrange the symbols based on your own interpretation starting from the core as the center of your
“self”, moving outward, depending on how these symbols are affecting your self-development.
3) Draw and explain each symbol that forms the mandala.
4) You can base the interpretation of symbols from Jung’s “components of the psyche”
5) Colored, black and white or monochromatic presentation will be considered depending on your
personal preference.
Materials
¼ illustration board
Pencil/ marker
Circular pattern tool or device
Colors ( crayons, water color, color pencil)

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Carl Jung Mandala

Components of the Psyche

Carl Jung and Complexes

3) Collective unconscious – the collective experiences during a revolutionary past or the

Create Your own Mandala

1) Think of 7-10 symbols to represent your own mandala.

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