Mandala is a sacred symbol that can help a person get closer to what he wants. It works through meditation while coloring and setting the mind in a positive way.
Mandala - an unusual word for the name of a geometric pattern. This drawing is not simple and represents geometric matrix. If we literally translate the word “mandala”, it stands for “circle” or “circle”. In fact, this is true: a mandala is a square inscribed in a circle and decorated with many decorative figures and patterns.
Each drawing located in the mandala, all figures and ornaments are located symmetrical to each other.
It is interesting to know that in the East this drawing is very sacred. He is recognized Buddhism and Hinduism. Moreover, to draw a mandala, you must follow a certain ritual. The monks draw it and see in the image not just a drawing, but a real one object of worship, which with all its beauty and depth symbolizes the Universe and space.
A person to whom such a culture and faith is alien cannot understand: why is a mandala needed? The answer is simple: this drawing allows open the subconscious. The sacred mandala is capable to establish harmony between man and nature. Of course, in order to achieve such a result, you need to be passionate about knowledge of the inner world and be a spiritual person who knows how to meditate.
mandala - sacred drawing or imageEach mandala drawing accumulates in itself during creation positivehuman energy. This is why many Buddhist and Hindu temples are decorated with mandalas. Some people call the mandala a “frozen prayer” because it can express the inner world of a person at the time of drawing.
How to color mandalas and what is better?
Mandala is always color image. An exception in this case may be paint applied to the body with black paints. If we talk about real mandalas, it is worth noting that in the original they are painted by monks with colored sand on a flat surface for two months. They need this process only as a means meditation. After the drawing is ready, they simply blow it off and start a new one.
It doesn’t matter what goals you adhere to if you draw a mandala. Main - know how to do it correctly. Sacred image always colorful. For this reason, any writing instruments of different colors will be useful to you:
- pencils
- ballpoint pens
- gel pens
- oil pens
- felt-tip pens
- any paints
- liners (felt-tip pens with the finest tip from 0.1 mm)
- Rapidographs (pens with an ink tube)
Drawing a mandala is not difficult even with the help of a special computer program, if you have certain knowledge of the ability to use a graphics tablet or mouse.
mandala drawn with sand The meaning of colors in a mandala, how to color a picture?
You are free to draw a mandala use absolutely any colors. It is worth highlighting the most popular shades, since most often they have a certain meaning:
- red - the color of blood, the color of survival, love and passion
- black - color of darkness, death, despair, danger
- yellow - symbolizes well-being, joy, happiness
- orange - ambition, emotionality, arguments
- blue - symbolizes the source of life, water and sky
- blue - mysticism, mystery, conflict, intuition, fear
- green - support, understanding, desire to help
- light green - weak energy field
- violet - emotional dependence
- lilac - experiences, worries, well-being
The mandala should be colored from the middle of the image and gradually reaching the edge. This way the drawing will turn out organic and will not be spoiled by your palm.
mandala drawing with felt-tip pens - bright and beautiful The mandala for making a wish come true is very strong: photo for coloring
All mandalas can be divided into several subtypes: for fulfilling desires, for attracting money, for happiness, and so on. Choose exactly the coloring template that you need at the moment. Peculiar meditating and reflecting on your goals while coloring will help you achieve what you want as soon as possible and will make you more confident in yourself.
Mandala coloring templates for wish fulfillment:
mandala for coloring No. 1 
mandala for coloring No. 2 
mandala for coloring No. 3 Mandala for attracting money and material well-being: photo for coloring
It is no secret that someone wants to fulfill their desire, while another wants to attract financial well-being. In this case, it comes to the rescue the other mandala is the mandala of attracting money. What is the secret of such an image? The answer is very simple: while coloring, you will be able to clearly concentrate all your thoughts on achieving your financial well-being as quickly and efficiently as possible.
You should only color the mandala in good spirits, so that your drawing is not only beautiful, but also contains only positive energy.
Mandala coloring templates to attract money:
mandala for attracting money, template No. 1 
mandala for attracting money, template No. 2 
mandala for attracting money, template No. 3 Mandalas for harmonizing space: photos for coloring
It is not uncommon for a modern person to find it difficult to find harmony with the surrounding world. Most often, he is hampered by complexes, an abundance of problems and misunderstanding. A magical mandala will help you establish your world inside your body and the world around you. Set up your workspace, choose a coloring template and have plenty of colored pencils ready.
Try to finish coloring immediately after you start (on the same day). Don't quit this kind of work and don't throw away the drawing.
Mandala coloring templates for finding harmony:
mandala for finding harmony, template No. 1 
mandala for finding harmony, template No. 2 
mandala for finding harmony, template No. 3 Mandala coloring pages: anti-stress
Currently very popular are the so-called anti-stress coloring pages. The principle of their action is to distract a person from problems and envelop him in an interesting therapy of colorful drawing and transformation. The mandala coloring book works on the same principle, but its magical abilities not only relax the human soul and body.
Mandala attracts everything positive to a person, what can be taken from the environment.
Templates for interesting anti-stress coloring pages:
anti-stress coloring book, template No. 1 
anti-stress coloring book, template No. 2 
anti-stress coloring book, template No. 3 Mandala of love, happiness and relationships, female happiness: photo for coloring
Mandala of love is designed to help a person gain romantic feelings and understanding of a loved one. You need to color this mandala carefully and slowly. While working with a drawing, you should think only about romance, relationships and pleasant things.
If during coloring mandalas of love you will be in a bad mood or depressed, you will not be able to charge your magical drawing with positive energy.
Templates for coloring mandala of love:
love mandala, coloring template no. 1 
mandala of love, coloring template No. 2 
love mandala, coloring template no. 3 Mandala for loneliness - for love and marriage: photo for coloring
It's no secret that some magical things can influence the outcome of many events. So the mandala acts as a unique "push" which gives a person the courage to carry out his plans.
Mandala of marriage, capable accumulate and exude positive energy for a person, in particular a woman. Such a mandala is necessary so that a woman does not lose confidence in herself and is able to find happiness in marriage.
“Happy Marriage” mandala coloring templates:
mandala “marriage” for coloring, template No. 1 
mandala “marriage” for coloring, template No. 2 
mandala “marriage” for coloring, template No. 3 Mandala for conceiving a child: coloring book
Every adult wants to prolong the family line. Sometimes stress, health problems and negativity become an obstacle to conception. Drawing and coloring a special mandala will help get pregnant safely and find peace within your soul.
Coloring templates:
Mandala “conception”, template No. 1 
Mandala “conception”, template No. 2 
Mandala “conception”, template No. 3 Mandala for forgiving yourself: photo for coloring
Often the inner world of a person is very restless. It also happens that calmness borders on depression and apathy. A person, like a sponge, absorbs a huge amount of negative, which surrounds him every day. No one is immune from the fact that they can make a large number of mistakes, wrong actions and offenses.
The situation can only be corrected by forgiving yourself and accepting yourself. Finding a way to this will help magic mandala, which, through drawing and coloring, will reveal the most beautiful sides of a person’s soul and allow him to think about himself.
Forgiveness mandala coloring templates:
Coloring mandala “forgiveness”, template No. 1 
Coloring mandala “forgiveness”, template No. 2 Mandala for health and healing: photo for coloring
Even doctors often say that a person’s recovery depends only on his desire to get well. This theory is far from a myth, but a scientifically proven fact. It will help you improve your mood and inspire yourself to get better. mandala coloring.
Health mandala templates for coloring:
“health” mandala template for coloring No. 1 
“health” mandala template for coloring No. 2 Coloring mandalas for children
Every parent should try instill in your child a sense of beauty. For this, simple mandala coloring schemes are more useful than ever, which you can color together in your free time.
Simple coloring templates:
mandala for children, template No. 1 
mandala for children, template No. 2 
mandala for children, template No. 3 Mandalas for coloring for weight loss
The mandala does not have any restrictions and therefore can help a person to acquire any thing and achieve any goals. This also applies to slimness. Just imagine visually your dream and start coloring the template.
coloring mandala “health, weight loss” Coloring pages - art therapy: the most complex mandalas
For those who have a “creative touch” and like more complex tasks, more detailed “mandala” coloring templates will come in handy. Such mandalas are focused on careful work, concentration and immersion in the deepest thoughts.
Templates of complex mandalas:
complex mandala No. 1 complex mandala No. 2 
complex mandala number 3 10 mandalas to bring brightness back to life
Improve mood and relieve state of your soul Not only coloring mandalas will help, but also their contemplation. It is necessary to attach the image of the mandala in a visible place so that it is permanently came into your field of vision. mandala “passion and joy” Protective mandala for coloring 
mandala "successful business"
Video: “Music and mandalas. Meditation"
RED color carries strength, courage, warmth, and the ability to act. It adds self-confidence and activates sexual energy. The RED color in the Mandala indicates the presence of a healing, life-giving potential that comes to the surface from the depths of the psyche. It is responsible for the strength of emotional and spiritual quests, for the desire to survive, for the will to transform. The red crown of fire in the circle of most traditional Mandalas means the burning of everything dark and ignorant, false ideas and erroneous self-esteem. The conspicuous absence of red in the Mandala, on the contrary, may indicate passivity or lack of will and strength for self-realization.
PINK color - radiates responsiveness, warmth and affection. The universal color of love.
YELLOW- expresses optimism, joy, creative thinking and disclosure. Light, radiant energy. The color of creative visualization and all kinds of learning. Against overwork and poor health. The color of those engaged in spiritual work.
The color yellow symbolizes our spirit's ability to see, perceive and understand. In the image of the Indian medicine wheel, the color yellow is oriented towards the east and symbolizes the light of insight. In the Mandala, the color yellow is associated with the active masculine principle. Its appearance in the Mandala indicates the development of individuality and independence and is considered a sign of the beginning of a new life, full of joyful expectations and hopes. The noticeable absence of yellow in the Mandala indicates the polarization of light and dark and may indicate the repression of the "shadow".
GOLD- a color that radiates wisdom and joy of life.
GREEN- radiates naturalness, harmony of feelings and the possibility of development. A universal healing color that has a balancing effect on both the body and the senses. The color of balance.
Green color is responsible for the creative and healing forces in a person, for his desire to renew himself. In the already mentioned medicine wheel, green is oriented to the south and symbolizes the wise ability to perceive other people, protect them and help them.
In this regard, the color green very often appears in the Mandala of people whose profession is related to helping people or treating them. In addition, green color is a symbol of integrity, as it combines yellow and blue colors, i.e. masculine and feminine principles.
BLUE- a calming, spiritual, reverent and serious color. The dark blue tone exudes willpower and endurance. Light blue is a relieving color, radiates reverence and peace and revitalizes the nervous system. The color of service, unpretentiousness, motherhood. Turquoise exudes friendliness, compassion and a spirituality free from religious restrictions.
The color blue is associated with the color of the dark night sky, the stormy sea, and displays the phases of inner darkness. In Mandalas, the color blue corresponds to intuition and wisdom, the ability to look at infinite reality through visible forms, through a cycle that includes beginning and end, death and rebirth.
VIOLET- radiates inspiration, depth, change and transformation. Cleanses the energy field, physical body and blood. Used to remove obstacles.
The color violet, as well as its dark lilac shades, is considered a royal color, combining the masculine and feminine principles and symbolizing the mystical fusion of object and subject.
The color violet signifies the desire to establish “magical” connections with oneself and with the world around us. If you are prone to extreme situations, the color purple can mean excessive individualism, egocentric behavior and actions, and exaggerated imagery can disrupt communication with the real world.
In the symbolism of the Mandala, the color violet means energy (red) manifesting on a spiritual level (blue).
BROWN- the color of closeness to the earth, practicality and security.
ORANGE- a color that reflects vitality, creation, movement and liberation.
The orange color is a softened form of the primordial energy of the red color, in other words, it symbolizes the “border of fire.” Orange is responsible for a sense of identity and positive self-affirmation.
BLUE the color is a symbol of infinity, the depth of the ocean and the height of the cloudless sky. It occupies an important place in religious symbolism and correlates with the place of residence of the gods. In Christianity, the color blue is considered a symbol of femininity and a prototype of motherhood. In the Mandala, the blue color respectively symbolizes the feeling of motherhood, selfless love and compassion.
Dark shades of blue may indicate the presence of elements of tyranny in maternal feelings, as, for example, symbolically reflected in the black and blue robe of the Indian goddess Kali. The primordial chaos that arises in associations contains the beginning and end of consciousness.
TURQUOISE. One variety of blue is turquoise, which takes its name from turquoise, a gemstone believed to have healing properties and protect its owner. The combination of green and blue colors gives rise to a sense of responsibility, the desire to solve one’s own problems, as well as the ability of the spirit to self-heal. Turquoise color is quite common in traditional Mandalas.
BLACK color, i.e. in principle, the absence of color is associated with darkness, mystery, everything negative, death and emptiness. Black color means the darkness from which life and consciousness emerge and to which they return over time - the living chaos of any beginning, a symbol of the unconscious and loss of consciousness.
The color black can also mean “psychological death,” which is partly reflected in the dark blue color, the dark night of the spirit that precedes the grace of new knowledge. In alchemical processes, the color black corresponds to the phase of profound changes, when important transformations occur unnoticed.
The color black in the Mandala can indicate feelings of depression, loss or sadness. It may also be evidence of the integration of our “dark” side into self-awareness.
WHITE- healing and cleansing color. Its vibrations contain all the colors of the rainbow. A protective color that helps thoughts and feelings remain clear of negativity.
In contrast to black, white symbolizes light, human consciousness, purity, something immaterial and spiritual. If there is too much white color in the Mandala, then this may indicate, on the one hand, spiritual clarity, readiness for change, for transpersonal changes in the psyche, and on the other hand, a lack of energy, distance from the perception and needs of the body, the threat of excessive self-esteem, about strong but hidden emotions.
GREY the color is a neutral color consisting of black and white. It can be seen as an expression of the equilibrium state of opposites.
If in general color is an expression of emotions, then gray color, so to speak, a state of non-color, can be a sign of a lack of feelings, and sometimes a depressive state.
By what principles should you choose a Mandala?
When choosing a Mandala, you must be guided by your own perception; you should like it and attract your attention. Each Mandala carries positive energy, since these amulets are always woven in a good mood, with good thoughts and love.
When ordering an individual Mandala, your wishes and goals are taken into account when weaving the Mandala.
Mandala means "circle" in Sanskrit, and mandala art refers to symbols that are drawn or otherwise depicted in a circular frame. Mandala art has been used throughout the world as a process of self-expression, aiding personal growth and spiritual transformation.
Purpose of the mandala
The very fact that mandalas are drawn in a circle can lead us to the experience of wholeness. When done correctly, a mandala has a central point or focus within the symbol from which a symmetrical design emanates. This suggests that in each of us there is a center with which everything is connected, through which everything is ordered, and which in itself is a source of energy and strength. Almost every spiritual and religious system known to man speaks of the existence of such an inner center.
The use of a mandala refers to a process aimed at integrating and harmoniously expressing the totality of human nature - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Mandala art can help explore these levels associated with the human unconscious.
Creating a mandala
There are many ways to create a mandala. The easiest option is to draw. First, a circle is drawn on paper or canvas. It can be filled with drawings spontaneously, expressed in creative, unpredictable forms. Or you can fill the circle with special images, combining the work with deep relaxation, meditation, using visualization techniques, etc.
The value of mandala art
What is the value of mandala artwork? First of all, by drawing these symbols, we take our attention away from external concerns and connect with our own inner space. It helps you relax, refreshes and fills you with energy.
Secondly, mandala art is a private process of self-confrontation and self-expression that does not depend on other people. In searching for the meaning of our life experiences, we can sit down any time we want, draw a circle, fill it, understand the reflection of what is happening inside, and figure out what it means.
Thirdly, through the mandala we can discover where our energies are blocked, what we are resisting, what roles and actions we are stuck in. Or, using compelling and graphic ways, we can celebrate our successes by depicting things that have inspired or touched us in life.
Fourth, mandala art can help us find harmony, love and learn from the very center of ourselves, the higher self. One of the greatest challenges in life is to open and replenish the deep wells of inner wisdom that flow within us. Mandala art awakens our inner genius, helps it communicate and express itself directly.
Fifth, mandalas can help us see the larger cycles at work in our lives if we do them regularly and then look at a series of designs that have developed over time.
Functions of color
Color serves symbolic functions in everything from Buddhist spiritual art to modern psychoanalysis and graphic design theory. When used in mandalas, color often imbues the work with even greater symbolism and meaning.
The meaning of color in tantric Buddhism
The Buddhist tradition uses many visual images in its practices. Color has a special meaning in Buddhist art, as the concept of enlightenment is often represented by "pure light" or the encapsulation of all the colors of the rainbow.
There are five specific colors that are associated with tantric religious texts, and the sixth - black - covers everything and nothing. Traditionally, the following meaning of mandala colors is used here:
- White - peace, relaxation, contemplation.
- Yellow - nutrition and restraint.
- Red - submission.
- Blue - healing, wisdom, life.
- Green - exorcism.
- Black - anger, death.
The five primary colors, excluding black, represent the five personifications of Buddha. Each of these incarnations of the Buddha is displayed in the corresponding color that they symbolize.
The meaning of color in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, mandalas are created according to religious texts, the specifics of creation depend on the purpose. For example, the Mahavairocana Sutra says that the mandala should be painted in five colors, following a prescribed path from the center to the outer edge:
- White - openness.
- Red - strength, vital energy.
- Yellow: - humility.
- Blue - infinity, purity and life.
- Black is darkness.
However, other colors such as green and gold are often found in Tibetan mandalas. Green often symbolizes nature and the balance between man and earth, while gold often symbolizes the sun and fire.
In Tibetan sand mandalas, colors are carefully placed according to specific teachings. Their main meaning is as follows:
- White - faith.
- Yellow - effort.
- Red is memory.
- Green - meditation.
- Blue - wisdom.
Mandala color meanings in psychology
In the 20th century, psychoanalyst Carl Jung first used mandalas in therapy as an expression of the patient's unconscious. In many ways, Jung was influenced by Eastern philosophy, so it is not surprising that many of these color associations are similar to their Buddhist predecessors. For example, red symbolizes passions from anger to lust, yellow indicates intelligence and intelligence, and purple represents a creative and sometimes narcissistic tendency.
Mandalas made of threads, sand, and beads can have both traditional and modern meanings.
Modern color meanings
Now that mandalas can be found in coloring books almost everywhere, everyone can access the ancient healing and meditative resources of this art form. The way colors are used can affect the feeling and mood of creating them.
While color theories are often based on some of the early symbolic meanings of mandala colors, in modern times people have developed cultural associations with certain colors. For example, blue may be associated with feelings of sadness, while green may be associated with feelings of envy. Red, black and white, on the other hand, have retained meanings closer to the earlier and traditional ones. Red often symbolizes anger (as well as love), black is still associated with death, and white continues to represent elements of purity and innocence.
As a rule, when creating your own mandala, regardless of its purpose, you are guided by the usual color values. For example, when making a mandala by date of birth, the meaning of colors can be used the same as in modern color theory.
When creating a mandala, you need to carefully listen to yourself and your feelings. Then look carefully at the different colors and trust your intuition. At the same time, we should not forget the basic meaning of flowers. Then it will be easy for you to choose what color to paint the mandala.
Also, colors are chosen regardless of the material of manufacture. It can be sand, beads, threads. So, when weaving a mandala from threads, the meaning of the colors remains the same as when drawing.
Basic symbolism of the mandala
In modern and traditional use, there are certain components of mandalas that have deep symbolic meaning. Perhaps the most important element of a mandala is the center point. In ancient Greek and Roman traditions, this central point often meant "I." In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the center represents the starting point of contemplation and devotion to the divine.
Description and meaning of traditional mandala symbols
Traditionally, mandalas have been used in religious practices, both as a form of meditation and as a way of connecting with a spiritual entity. In the Hindu religion, the mandala has been so significant that most of the holy places and temples are built using the mandala as a plan or template. Therefore, each tradition usually uses certain symbols that are relevant to the culture.
Yantra: For the Hindu religion, a Yantra is a repeated mantra that usually refers to deities. Therefore, when used in mandalas, the Yantra takes the form of a geometric design - usually a circular shape within a square, which is implied as an embodiment of a particular deity.
Celtic design: Celtic imagery comes from Western European countries. They often symbolize unity, balance and energy. The Celtic cross is one of the most famous symbols and represents the transition between the heavenly and earthly realms.
Wheel: A mandala usually has the shape of or includes a wheel. In Buddhism, it represents the circle of life and embodies the process of seeking enlightenment. In Native American cultures, the wheel is often used as a symbol of the connection between man and nature.
Lotus: In Buddhist traditions, the lotus is one of the most significant symbols. The lotus flower is symmetrical and can therefore be associated with balance and unity. The meaning of the lotus flower mandala is very important; it symbolizes purity and connection with the divine, as well as the desire for unity with the Universe.
Vajra: It is a ritual object that has deep meaning in Buddhism and Hinduism. The vajra is often used to represent beliefs and a strong spirit.
Description and meaning of modern mandala symbols
In a modern context, mandala symbols are often derived from traditional patterns and usually refer to the same properties of connecting the earthly realm with the spiritual. Nowadays, the meditative power of mandalas makes them popular, and the symbols used are often less specifically associated with divine contemplation and are instead universal images that transcend cultural and traditional meanings.
Sun: This is a universal symbol that has been used since ancient times and continues to be a popular basis for mandala patterns. The sun symbol can represent the universe and often carries meanings related to energy and life, as the sun supports growth and life on the planet.
Heart: This symbol is also universal and hence often used in modern contexts. Hearts most often symbolize love and devotion, but since the heart is also an important organ in living things, it can be associated with life.
Tree of Life: This symbol draws on meanings related to life and growth. Each part of the tree has a separate meaning; roots are often stabilizing or grounding forces, while leaves can represent both strength and aspiration.
Animals: Can represent different meanings depending on the characteristics of the creatures depicted. Animals are popular in a modern context because they are secular symbols that are used regardless of religion.
Labyrinth: Although the labyrinth design has had great significance in historical traditions from the Greeks and Romans to the Native Americans, the pattern remains popular in modern customs. Labyrinths often represent a path or journey that culminates in a sense of wholeness and enlightenment.
Triangle: if it is located with the apex up, then its main meanings will be determination and strength; if its apex faces downwards, it will mean indecision and weakness.
Spiral: directed clockwise means the beginning, in the opposite direction - devastation, waste of energy.
The main meaning of the “flower of life” mandala, according to many people, is associated with comprehension of the universe, the ability to model one’s own destiny, and improvement of karma.
Application of mandala
Our body participates in the mechanical act of drawing, and we experience our own nervous system in a new way in the subtle movements associated with the act of drawing. Our mental patterns are reflected in the specific shapes and structures that appear within the circle, and feelings are reflected in the use of color.
Drawing and painting a mandala can be a very enriching personal experience in which one looks within oneself and finds the shapes, colors and patterns in one's heart.
A mandala can be created to symbolize the state of mind one is striving to achieve. Mandalas are great tools for meditation and increasing self-awareness. Many cultures use mandalas in their spiritual practices.
The best thing about creating your own mandala is that you have the freedom to choose any shapes and colors according to your feelings.
Made from different materials
To draw a mandala you will need paper, a pencil, a ruler and an eraser. You can paint the mandala in different colors using colored pencils, felt-tip pens, and watercolors. Some people prefer to use ready-made printed shapes that you simply color in.
A mandala woven from multi-colored threads is considered a good amulet. Depending on the meaning of the colors of the mandala, the one that will most help bring you closer to what you want or tune in to the desired mood is selected.
During the manufacturing process, the mandala is charged with positive energy, which helps to achieve harmony with the outside world. In this case, symbols play as big a role as the meaning of color. Making a mandala from threads is quite simple, you just need to choose the appropriate colors of threads, preferably wool, choose the pattern you like and get to work.
Mandalas can be of different sizes and made using different techniques. When deciding on a design, you should remember when weaving a mandala about the meaning of colors.
Content
This symbol is sacred in the cultures of peoples of different countries, which helps a person get closer to what he wants. Coloring or weaving a mandala is a meditation, therefore it adjusts the consciousness in a positive way, bringing a person happiness, love, financial well-being, etc. The drawing is a two-dimensional image on a plane or has a relief, three-dimensional shape. The magic circle is carved from stone or wood, embroidered on fabric using colored powders, drawn on sand, and woven with threads.
What is a mandala
This is one of the sacred symbols, which is a geometric pattern. When literally translated, the word "mandala" means "circle" or "circle". The symbol looks like a square inscribed in a circle and decorated with many decorative elements and patterns. Each figure and ornament is arranged symmetrically. While creating a drawing, a person is immersed in a state comparable to the practice of meditation; the image accumulates the positive energy of the creator. This explains why many Buddhist and Hindu temples are decorated with such symbolism.
The word “mandala” appears for the first time in the Rigveda, meaning “space”, “circle”, “totality”. Buddhists believe that the first symbolic image was created in the 8th century by the founder of the Vajrayana, Padmasambhava, who used this ritual geometric object to invoke the deity. Padmasambhava created a mandala and prayed continuously for 7 days, after which a deity descended into the center of the sacred circle to fulfill his wishes.
In the east, the symbol is very sacred: it is recognized by Buddhist and Hindu followers. The monks draw a sacred circle, seeing in the image not just figures or patterns, but an object of worship, symbolizing the structures of the Universe. Creating a mandala helps a person open the subconscious and establish harmony with nature. To achieve such a result, you need to be passionate about knowledge of the inner world, develop spiritually, and be able to meditate.
Mandalas and their meaning
In Eastern countries, the symbol is considered sacred; its image can be found on walls, ceilings, and floors. A circle filled with patterns is drawn during religious rituals, including the Kalachakra initiation. Sand paints are used for this. The destruction of the sacred drawing completes the sacred ritual. What does a mandala mean in a particular culture?
Buddhist
In Buddhist culture, the meaning of a mandala has a sacred meaning. This image came into Buddhist practice from ancient Indian mythology, having received a slightly modified meaning. The ritual symbol appeared in India several thousand years ago and was used as an auxiliary tool for meditation. In Buddhism, images are used in sacred rituals, symbolizing the field of certain saints and bodhisattvas, their habitat after emerging from endless rebirths.
While contemplating the image, Buddhists at the mental level come into contact with the deities in the center of the picture, moving to the highest stage of meditation, becoming one with the cosmic Absolute. Modern psychologists suggest that drawings serve as a tool for internal transformation and self-improvement of people. By looking at or creating a sacred symbol, Buddhists achieve peace of mind, get rid of problems, restore their own strength, and recover from illnesses.
Numerical
One of the tools for understanding man and the world is bringing different phenomena to a single measure, which is a number. With its help, you can connect seemingly incompatible things, for example, a person’s date of birth and the words he speaks. The numerical symbol of integrity allows you to see how speech works and use it consciously. This will make life more joyful, happier.
Even ancient philosophers adhered to the idea that everything in the world can be expressed in numbers, which at the same time are filled with magical meaning. Modern scientists also talk about similar things, who express the idea that everything that exists in the Universe represents energy flows and information that can be expressed in numbers. The vibration they create affects a person’s life, which is studied by numerology.
This pseudoscience draws all the information it needs to study from a mandala - a drawing of fate created individually for each person. Using this technique, you can trace your life path and identify hidden opportunities. Such knowledge helps to correct shortcomings and use existing abilities, which will provide the opportunity to more successfully solve the tasks set by fate.
Indian
According to one version, woven Indian mandalas in the form in which they exist now come from South and Central America. It is known that such symbols were woven by the Huichol Indians living in the territory of modern Mexico. During the colonization of America, many valuable skills in the art were forgotten, and today weaving is hardly remembered. The Indians themselves called such products “God's eye.”
Even children could weave the most primitive patterns: their products were hung in a prominent place, since it was believed that the mandala made by children brings prosperity to the house, through it God protects the family from misfortunes. A wise Indian, the leader of the Dakota tribe, said that everything done by the Power of the World is done in a circle - the sky, the earth, birds' nests, the sun, the moon are round, etc. The seasons also replace each other and are constantly repeated, forming a circle. Thus, the mandala symbolizes the cyclical nature of all living things.
Yoga
On the path to self-improvement, understanding the structure of the human essence plays an important role. For this there is mandal yoga, which is a type of exercise that combines asanas, vinyasas, mantras and mandalas themselves. The result of these actions is the formation in space of a complex geometric figure oriented to the cardinal points. In the center of the symbol is a practicing person and, if the technique is performed correctly, he feels new unusual feelings located at the level of energy channels.
Mandala for coloring
A magical diagram used in Buddhist and Hindu practices. Creating and coloring a sacred drawing can harmonize a person’s inner state and give strength. The work requires the ability to contemplate and visually perceive the world. The goals of the practice are different: a mandala of love and happiness, material wealth, health, etc. can be created. The drawing is a circle, inside of which there are triangles, other figures and patterns arranged symmetrically. The elements are painted in different colors, which is considered a form of art therapy.
Why are they needed?
Modern publishing houses offer collections of meditative coloring books for sale. What are mandalas and why are they needed? Simple graphic drawings, with the right approach to the creative process, help improve family relationships, attract love into your life, get rid of illnesses and achieve other goals. Coloring diagrams and patterns will help your child learn to concentrate and independently understand his own feelings. Herals and mandalas are a tool for developing thinking, setting and achieving goals.
How to color
Tibetan monks draw real mandalas with colored sand on a flat surface for 2 months. This process is a means of meditation. When the drawing is completed, the sand is blown off and a new one is started. No matter what your goals are when creating color mandalas, it is important to know how to do it correctly. The sacred symbol is always multi-colored, so for the technique you will need paints, pencils or felt-tip pens.
You need to color the drawing from the center to the edges, because this way the drawing will come out organic and the colors will not be smeared by hand. When drawing, completely different colors are used, each of which has a meaning. An example of deciphering popular shades for creating a picture:
- yellow – prosperity, happiness, joy;
- red – love, passion, life;
- black – darkness, danger, despair;
- green – understanding, support, desire to help;
- orange – emotionality, ambition, controversy;
- blue – conflict, mysticism, fear, intuition;
- lilac – well-being, emotions, worries;
- purple – emotional dependence;
- light green – weak energy field;
- blue – water, sky, source of life.
How to use
To meditate, take a comfortable position, you can light candles, incense, and turn on quiet, calm music. Clear your mind of thoughts and worries, look at the center of the image, but do not focus your gaze. Listen to your inner state without analyzing or evaluating what is happening. As you continue to perceive any feelings, concentrate your attention on them to achieve maximum intensity of these sensations. How to color mandalas? Meditative coloring can take from 5 minutes to an hour; you need to stop the process if you feel tired.
The circle symbolizes the cosmos and is an ancient symbol of peace used in different cultures. Sacred symbols are used for many purposes, including:
- amulet, protection of a person, home;
- healing the body, healing from diseases;
- energy filling;
- meditation, purification of consciousness, subconscious;
- raising money;
- finding love, family happiness;
- development of character qualities (elimination of negative ones, activation of positive ones), etc.
For women
Coloring mandalas brings sacred energy to a person and influences the outcome of many events. Thus, the figure acts as a tool for getting what you want through meditation. With the help of such technology, plans can be easily realized and dreams come true. Beautiful mandalas for marriage are capable of accumulating and exuding the beneficial energy of a woman. Such drawings are needed so that the girl does not lose confidence and finds family happiness.
For luck
The mandala of happiness awakens the spirit of integrity, helping to feel the joy of life, establishing a person’s mental balance. Contemplating the finished painted drawing, the mind tunes into a positive mood, attracting more happy moments into a person’s life. In addition, the image brings the effects of satisfaction and inner peace, helping to love and accept oneself.
For love
The symbol of relationships carries a special meaning and energy; it is used when they want to attract a bright feeling of love into life. In addition, individual symbols help strengthen existing relationships. While painting the figures, a strong energy surge occurs, making it possible to fulfill the dreams of the person who creates the mandala.
To fulfill a wish
This is a very powerful technique for fulfilling your plans and desires. By creating a magical image, a person imbues the drawing with positive energy, freeing himself from uncertainty and doubt. The completed bright picture is kept in a visible place where the image often catches the eye. Every time you pass by a drawing, you should focus on it and think about what you have in mind.
Family Mandala
Before performing the technique, think about your ideal family relationship, whether it will be passionate or calm. If desired, having tuned in to the desired mood, draw a mandala using universal signs or creating individual symbols. Favorable colors for the family are red, white, blue, purple. If you don't want to draw, use the ready-made template presented below. While coloring it, constantly think about feelings and love.
To attract money
The image should be created with positive thoughts, while the mind is first freed from pressing problems and troubles, bad memories, and painful thoughts. If you thought about something bad while creating the symbol, it is better to burn the drawing. You should start coloring patterns from the center to the edges, intuitively selecting colors. Sacred rituals to attract money are recommended to be performed in the morning.
For good health
Certain symbols from Tibetan Buddhism carry special healing powers, their effect has been tested for centuries. Sometimes you just need to fill the finished template with color and place the work in a visible place to gain health. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to supplement the drawing of sacred images with meditations, affirmations, and reading mantras. It should be understood that this technique is not an alternative to going to the doctor, as it will not replace a medical examination, but recovery will be much faster and easier.
A person always strives to look ahead, to find out what awaits him in the future, what needs to be done to achieve his goals, how to fulfill his cherished dream. For these purposes, some turn to fortune telling, some read horoscopes, some go to psychics. And there are those who use various symbols and talismans designed to protect, block negativity, and promote the success of any endeavor. Such amulets and talismans include a red woolen thread, a cross consecrated in the church and symbolic images, which include a mandala. What is a mandala and why is it needed? Let's figure it out.
What it is?
Translated from Sanskrit, “mandala” means “that which surrounds the center” or, more simply, a circle with a square inscribed inside it. All this geometric diversity is complemented by multiple and at the same time absolutely symmetrical designs, ornaments and patterns. A mandala can be decorated with animal figures, images of people, plant and floral patterns, as well as a variety of geometric weaves and shapes, which together form an incredibly beautiful illustration, captivating with its subtle, ornate and skillful graphics. 
History of appearance
One way or another, mandalas have taken place throughout many centuries of human history. As legends say, he passed on secret knowledge to his students, called. Only the most diligent and persistent follower could comprehend their meaning, since the knowledge of wisdom occurred through the contemplation of the deity. If you follow the legend, the deities lived in palaces, which were depicted in the form of a mandala, imbued with secret meaning and many symbols. By looking at the encrypted message in the mandala, one could recognize the deity and discover the secret knowledge left by the Buddha to his followers. Jung wrote that understanding the meaning of a mandala, what it is made of and why it is made is like a kind of ritual that is carried out alone with the image and in the process of its creation. It is at such moments that a person, as if falling into, is transported into the space between dimensions, where he is able to comprehend the wisdom of the gods.
Did you know?In Buddhist monasteries, complex three-level mandalas are made, which are no longer palaces of deities, but the palace of the Buddha himself. As legends say, it is in these mandalas that the main secrets of Buddhism, the structure of the Universe and many other secret knowledge are hidden, which have not yet been comprehended.
Mandalas in different world cultures
Due to their deep symbolism and sacred meaning, mandalas are widespread in Eastern cultures, especially in Buddhism and Judaism. In Christianity they are found in somewhat non-standard forms. For example, on the icons Jesus is depicted in the center, and around him in the direction of the four cardinal directions the four evangelists are placed. This type of mandala construction has been known since the times of Ancient Egypt (about five thousand years before the birth of Christ). Back then, the Egyptians depicted the god Horus and his four sons in a manner similar to Christianity. 
The most famous mandalas that have survived intact to this day are Tibetan, Egyptian and Persian. The prayer mandala of Tibet is one of the simplest in the world; it is a lotus flower, each petal of which is inscribed with symbols meaning the seven signs of knowledge. This composition is inscribed in a circle, which completes the overall appearance of this image. The Egyptian mandala of death describes the cycle of human life in three circles, that is, dimensions, in the world of the living, the world of the gods and the world of death. The Assyrian or Persian mandala is a symbol of patronage, power and might.
Mandala meaning
Nowadays, the formulation “to know the wisdom of the gods” does not inspire confidence or great desire among people. So what is a mandala for a modern person and what benefits can it bring? If we paraphrase the ancient saying in a modern manner, we can say that the mandala is the key to our and, most importantly, the subconscious, and, therefore, it is an opportunity to reveal our inner Self and understand the meaning of our existence, to determine the path for self-realization and self-improvement, and also discover the ability to harmonize with the environment and people, and these factors are very popular today, because recently people are becoming more and more interested in psychology and ways of self-expression. One of these methods is the mandala.
Important! Each mandala image in the process of creation absorbs the positive energy of the person creating it. Therefore, the mandala is a very strong amulet, as well as a source of healing or simply recharging with positive emotions.
Meaning of colors
To creatively create a mandala, you can use absolutely any colors. The only rule is that you need to create a drawing with the colors that you like best. It is thanks to the positive mood that your favorite colors give you that you are making not just a drawing, but an energy generator that will always delight you and charge you with optimism. Regarding the meaning of colors in the mandala, we can highlight the following main points:
- red is the color of blood, the color of survival, love and passion;
- black is the color of darkness, death, despair, danger;
- yellow - symbolizes well-being, joy, happiness;
- orange - ambition, emotionality, controversy;
- blue - symbolizes the source of life, water and sky;
- blue - mysticism, mystery, conflict, intuition, fear;
- green - support, understanding, desire to help;
- light green - weak energy field;
- purple - emotional dependence;
- lilac - worries, excitement.
How and with what to paint?
A mandala is always a color image. The only exception is tattoos, but we will talk about using a mandala for tattooing a little later. Now let's figure out how and what is the best way to color a mandala. Original mandalas are drawn by monks using colored sand on a perfectly flat surface, and the process of creating them can take two or more months. During this long and painstaking process, monks enter a state of meditation and detachment. They reach a peak of concentration and are said to discover something new about themselves or the world around them. Upon completion, the mandala is simply blown away and a new one begins to be drawn.
Important!When creating a mandala, you must be in a good mood. In the room where the mandala is located, you cannot quarrel, swear, or even speak loudly. Otherwise, the symbol will change the polarity of the impact and instead of positive it will attract.
If you decide to draw a mandala, then you should arm yourself with any stationery item that can create a color image. And it doesn't matter what you use. For such purposes, ordinary colored pens or pencils, watercolors, gouache or oil paints, pastels, felt-tip pens, markers or rapidographs (pens with an ink tube) may be suitable. The most important thing is not what you draw with, but how much you concentrate on the process, how much you dissolve in it. 
Where is the mandala symbol used?
If with the question “What is a mandala?” We have figured it out, then the question remains open and unclear: “How to use it?” One thing can be said for sure now: the mandala symbol is widely used in a wide variety of areas. And now you will see this.
Mandala therapy according to Jung
Very interesting research in the field of psychology belongs to Carl Gustave Jung. It is known that he had a certain “Red Book”, where he daily sketched small pictures without meaning, as he thought at first. But at some point, Jung noticed that all these pictures had a geometric structure and often fit into a circle or square (the main symbols of the mandala). Having learned about mandalas, Jung began to draw more and more, and at one point he realized that a mandala is a mirror of the soul. The picture reflected the state of the person’s inner world at the time of drawing, since the person himself came up with the shape of the mandala. It has long been no secret that the psychological state of a person can be determined by sketches on a piece of paper. This is how a mandala works, but with a deeper meaning hidden in numerous symbolism, lines, ornaments and color palette. But that’s not all, because in the process of drawing a person gets to know his own Self and asks many philosophical questions or simply reflects on matters that at first glance may seem insignificant, but in fact mean a lot to a person, he just hasn’t understood what yet. Thanks to this discovery, Jung was able to found the method of mandala therapy, which is still used in psychology today, and it really works. Jung himself said that when drawing symbols, he often asked himself the question: “What will my work lead to?”, but he did not demand an instant answer. Ask yourself this question and perhaps the mandala will tell you the answer. 
Use for meditation
Mandalas are widely used for, thanks to their brightness and diversity, which together can distract, entice and bewitch. The technique using a mandala may seem simple at first glance, but in fact, plunging into a true state of detachment and, at the same time, concentration is very difficult. The process of meditation includes several stages, gradually completing which you will be able to touch, and maybe enter a state of meditation. So let's look at these steps.
Draw a mandala that corresponds to the needs that concern your thoughts (each mandala contains secret symbols and codes that, influencing the subconscious, cause the desired flow of thoughts and concentration on a specific issue). You can print the image, but a mandala drawn by you personally has much more energy than a digital copy from the Internet. 
Now comes the hard part: you need to completely relax your thoughts, and then your body. But if everything is more or less clear with the body (sit in a comfortable position, lean on the back of a chair, alternately tense and relax muscle groups, feeling a pleasant warmth spreading throughout the body), then with thoughts everything is much more complicated. Our minds are designed in such a way that when we try not to think, it sends us more and more images that seem impossible to fight off. And only practice can help in this matter. You may not succeed the first time, but you need to not give up and try.
When you manage to “turn off” your brain, look at the image of the mandala (preferably at its center). You can also defocus your vision (make the picture blurry by changing the position of your eyes). At this point the fun will begin and you will begin to see things that you have not seen before. And now we can say that you have achieved immersion in meditation. But what symbols or pictures will open in front of you - only you are allowed to know. 
Indian mandalas
“Eyes of God” (Ojos de Dios) - this is the name the Indians gave to images woven from vines, which contained a sacred, symbolic meaning. The greatness of the master was not only in weaving a perfectly symmetrical composition, but also in correctly interpreting the message embedded in it. And the highest skill lay in the correct reading of the mandala. There were also people who could consider all the information about the person who weaved the mandala, and the symbolism that he used in his work. Today there are very few such masters left. Indian mandalas were also woven for the purpose of meditation and self-knowledge. It was believed that during weaving, a person looked at the world and at himself through the eyes of God (where the name came from). Finding such a mandala in the house brought protection, patronage and support of God.
Amazing Dance
If we talk about, then in this case the process of transition to a state of meditation occurs during a dance, which is also called the dance of the “Seven Elements”. By performing the movements, a woman (namely, a woman can perform this type of meditation) enters a state of harmony with each element, and after this she immerses herself in harmony with herself. In addition to spiritual healing and restoration of vital energy, mandala dance also improves physical fitness. As you know, what's on the inside is what's on the outside. Therefore, if you put your spiritual sphere in order and regularly recharge yourself with positive emotions (for example, by performing dance movements), then you will not notice when you are transformed in appearance.
Benefits of Dynamic Meditation
Although dynamic meditation is a slightly different method from dance, it nevertheless also involves movement. But if in dance the movements are already known, then in the dynamic meditation method you can do whatever your body tells you. It sounds strange, but within an hour of immersion in meditation, a similar effect is successfully achieved. First there is deep breathing, after which a free outburst of emotions in movements begins. Following this comes the stage of reading, and then freezing and waiting in the position in which the person stops. This is a rather complex technique, but practiced by millions of people around the world. Thanks to it, cleansing is achieved from negativity, conflicts and everything that a person does not need. The main thing here is to move as you want and not think about anything.
Did you know?It is almost impossible to bring the most experienced and trained people who practice meditation out of a state of full concentration. It’s even difficult to imagine what can bring a meditator back to reality if even a pistol shot cannot cope with this function.
Tattoos
A mandala is a kind of energy concentrator. If you place such a magnet for positive energy on your body, even in the form of a temporary tattoo, then there is an opinion that it will begin to attract good luck, success and prosperity to the person. It is worth noting that for tattoos there are a great many mandalas encrypted in symbols, the meaning of each of which focuses on a specific area, for example, love, financial well-being, energy protection and others. Before applying a design to the skin, you should carefully look at the images. You must feel where exactly your mandala is. Don't rush, especially if you're not sure. 
Mandala yoga
This type of practice can be performed by both women and men, unlike dance. Smooth and flexible dance movements are replaced here by the clarity of geometric shapes, so-called, which are arranged in a strict order. All these movements and breathing practice are combined in an hour-long ritual of geometric actions, allowing you to concentrate and work with your spiritual energy. A mandala is something that cannot be expressed in words. This is a combination of smooth breathing and clarity of movements, grace and geometry of the body, regularity of inhalations and sharpness of exhalations. Together, mandala yoga asanas form a powerful energy charge that nourishes the body and spirit.
Did you know? People who practice yoga age 10-20 years slower than the average person. That is, at 60 years old they look 40. This is truly amazing!
Number mandalas
A numerical mandala (or numerology) is a kind of digital code obtained by combining the letters of a first name, last name, date of birth or other data. Thanks to the number mandala, you can get the final number from 0 to 9 and, in accordance with the value of the resulting number, interpret the calculation results. Based on the set of numbers obtained that characterize a person’s personality, a personal mandala is constructed, that is, the numbers turn into an image. Each person gets an individual and different mandala, which can be used as a powerful amulet and positive generator. 
The influence of the process of creating a mandala on self-awareness
The final result depends on the mood with which you approach the creation of a mandala, since the drawing is a reflection of your inner spiritual state. If you are in harmony with yourself and are positive, then your drawing will absorb your thoughts and wishes and in the future will give them back. In the process of drawing, you abstract from the outside world and go deeper into your inner world. The mandala itself, due to its absolute symmetry, has a somewhat hypnotic effect on a person, helping him enter a state of meditation. And, while in it, a person asks many questions, to which he may unexpectedly find answers in the pictures and symbols depicted in the ornate patterns of the mandala. Knowing yourself is an integral part of creating a mandala. This is one of its main tasks: to bring a person closer to discovering and comprehending himself. With each element of the mandala, a person approaches self-awareness. His thoughts are cleared, positive thoughts are born naturally in his head, energy and internal balance are normalized, and there is also a general effect on the entire body, for example, the person drawing calms down, stress and tension are relieved.
How to work with a mandala?
Regarding how to draw a mandala, we can say that this is such a unique and even intimate ritual in which you work with it alone. Below we have given a rough plan on how to create your own mandala: 
- Find a secluded place where no one will interfere with your creativity.
- Take a piece of paper and draw a circle on it (using a compass, or just circle a plate).
- It is better to start drawing patterns from the center, since there is little space there, and it will be easier for you to figure out what to place in the center.
- You should start your drawing with the color that you like best, because this is the center, the heart of your composition.
- Don't think too long! The hand itself must draw lines, ornaments or symbols as it pleases.
- Focus on what you have in the center. This drawing will tell you what to draw next. It's like with text. At first you can’t start for a long time (the effect of a blank sheet), and when you already start writing, you write without stopping, figuring out what to write next as you go.
- You can go beyond the circle, you can finish at any moment - you and only you are free to do what you want with your mandala.
- Your inner voice will tell you the moment of completion, and you will experience satisfaction and even joy.
- If it happens that you experience negative sensations, then you should turn the mandala face down and put it in a table or folder (away from view, but you should not destroy it). You may have to create many mandalas to achieve a sense of perfection, joy and satisfaction.
To summarize our article, we can safely say that mandala is a special, unique and amazing technique of self-knowledge, a way to look inside yourself, overcome depression, stress and tension, just relax and have fun. Also, a mandala can become a powerful talisman and amulet that will not only protect, but also give strength, charge with positive energy and even heal.
