Mandalas are sacred circle designs that are used in religious and cultural ceremonies. They are often used in meditation rooms, prayer rooms and churches as a symbol of spiritual calm and eternal love. Mandalas can be used as colorful tattoo designs to express a spiritual, balanced attitude towards life.
The Art of Mandala Tattoos
Mandala circle artworks are a large part of Buddhist and Hindu religions, and are often expressed in the form of sand art, in which monks use dyed sand to create decorative mandalas. These colorful mandala designs can be transferred to the skin in the form of a tattoo to create a spiritual, cheerful tattoo design. Because of their geometric nature, mandala tattoos look best on a flat area of the boady such as the back or chest, where the circular shape of the mandala will not be distorted by the curves of the body.
Mandala’s are often built from the center of the circle outwards, giving mandala designs a floral look. Flowers are generally circular in appearance, so the circles and flowers can be combined to create a symbolic tattoo design that reflects the spirit, femininity, balance and eternity. Flowers can represent spring, rebirth, creation and a blossoming of an idea or thing.
The word “mandala” is Sanskrit for “circle”. Circles are at the heart of mandala designs, even if a square or triangle seems to dominate the design. The measurement from the center of a circle to its edges is the same all around, giving circles the symbolic meaning of radial balance. In other words, all things within the circle are equal, and so any symbols contained within the circle are granted equal importance.
Many tribal tattoos are mandalas. Circles were a part of many ancient cultures and still play a role in Native American culture. These designs were not just used during ceremonies; often they were woven into cloth or worn as symbolic jewelry. Celtic knots in the shape of a circle are an example of ancient Celtic mandala designs. Both the knot and the circle have no end and therefore the symbolism of eternity appears twice in Celtic mandalas.
Tattoos of Spiritual Circles
Mandalas are a central part of Anuttarayoga Tantra meditation practices. This form of Buddhism teaches ways to transform sensual pleasure into the quickest path to enlightenment. Tantras are Buddhist and Hindu scriptures, and are often used in mandala designs as a symbolic element. These mandala designs have become popular in the western world, not only in tattoos but as designs for posters, cloths and clothing.
Mandalas have been use in almost every religion. They may not be called mandalas, and they may have a different meaning, but the basic definition of a mandala remains, that they are spiritual, circular artworks. Many rose windows (aka picture windows) that are found in Christian churches are, by the above definition, mandalas. They depict religious and spiritual ideas and beliefs in a circular design.
Mandala tattoo designs can be quite simple, perfect for smaller areas of the body such as the wrist or calf. Larger, more detailed mandalas deserve a large area of skin such as between the shoulder blades. A mandala design can make up the entire tattoo, or be a part of a larger tattoo design.
Mandala tattoo designs are a perfect choice for people who live deep, spiritual lives. Tattoos of mandalas are popular among those who follow new age practices and people who enjoy the modern hippy lifestyle of trance parties and outdoor music festivals. Mandala tattoos can be a spiritual, meditative symbol that can travel everywhere, on the skin.