Mandala

Q: What is a mandala?

A mandala is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning designed to focus one's attention on spiritual, emotional, or psychological transformation.

Q: Where does the mandala first appear?

The mandala first appears in the Rig Veda of India c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE.

Q: Is a mandala always a circle?

A mandala is usually a circle but can also be a square enclosing a circle, a series of circles, a square alone, or a circle surrounding an image such as a lotus flower, star, or depiction of the Buddha. A mandala can appear in any shape and there is no "right way" to draw one.

Q: Who popularized the mandala in the modern age?

In the modern age, the mandala was popularized by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (l. 1875-1961).

Joshua J. Mark

Mandala

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Definition

A mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one's attention. The image first appears in India via the Hindu text known as the Rig Veda c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE.

More about: Mandala

Timeline

c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 BCE
The Mandala first appears in the Rig Veda of Hindu scripture during the Vedic Period.

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