The word "mandala" is derived from the Sanskrit "manda", which means "center" or "essence". The suffix "la" indicates the completion of something.
That is, a mandala is a kind of cyclic model of the world. Some believe that it is the cosmos and its energy. The model is part of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Before significant holidays, monks painstakingly lay out sand patterns in the designated circle.
The painting becomes part of rituals and services, after which the image is destroyed.
This is a symbol of the impermanence of the world. But there are mandalas that are not easy to destroy, this is...
Meaning of mandala tattoo
The main mandala is a circle. Sometimes it is placed in, sometimes it is not. Sphere - the world, the universe.
Therefore, the tattoo is deciphered as the integrity of the spirit and unity with the cosmos.
Mandala tattoo– an attempt to depict the highest reality in the form of a drawing. Its specific interpretation depends on the images inside the contour.
For example, the 10 Hindu Vedas can be inscribed in a circle. These are ancient revelations, written in Sanskrit, but also have analogues.
What are called Vedas in Hinduism are called mantras in Buddhism. There are dozens of them.
Can be selected for mandala tattoo only a few, thereby modeling the meaning of a body image. There are mantras for, for, that stimulate spiritual development.
Monks also place other symbols of Buddhism, for example, a horse, in mandalas. It symbolizes fate and must gallop in a certain direction.
If it turns back, a person’s life begins to collapse, believers believe.
By drawing a horse on the body in the right position, people also stimulate the invisible substance of fate to flow in the right direction.
Mandala tattoo meaning varies depending on the number of spheres in the image. The outer contour is usually drawn.
This is a symbol that burns ignorance and liberates from it. The second sphere is enlightenment.
It is customary to paint it in light colors. The third circle in the classical scheme consists of petals, symbolizing the rebirth of the spirit.
The center of the mandala is the throne of the deity; Buddha is often depicted here. The path to it is not easy, therefore, the center of the diagram is often enclosed in a labyrinth.
Mandala sign - tattoo, which is considered not only from a religious point of view, but also psychological.
Thus, Carl Jung believed that the diagram is a symbol of longing for communication, psychological interaction with other people.
Some psychoanalysts disagreed with Jung, believing that the mandala was only a visual expression of the soul's spiritual journey outside its body.
Where and how to make a mandala tattoo
The complexity of drawing a symbol requires a certain area for creativity. Suitable , , ankles, .
The folds in the area are another place to mandala tattoo. What does it mean Sometimes a tattoo can be understood only by seeing the other person. Divided diagram images are popular.
For example, one half of the circle is drawn on the crook of the right arm, and the second part of the sphere is drawn on the left arm.
The same technique is used on,. Charts shared between two people, such as relatives, are common.
There is also love mandala tattoo, shared between and , husband and wife.
A popular single image option is mandala tattoo on back. Often, it is drawn between, but there are paintings also on, or shifted to the periphery.
The last pattern is a symbol of a person’s narrow focus, the desire for a specific goal, the obsession with an idea. Those who are looking for harmony and all-round development prick the sphere in the center.
Pattern shifts are allowed on the torso. Moves here intentionally mandala. Tattoo sketches designed to be transferred to the zone in order to emphasize a person’s desire for spiritual development, idyll in the sensory sphere.
If the central part for tattooing is selected on the chest, then this is the solar plexus. According to Ayurveda, it coincides with one of the main chakras.
It is capable of revealing its energy, optimizing its work mandala. Photo of tattoo c demonstrate the coincidence of the center of the diagram with the center of the solar plexus.
The question is where to do it mandala tattoo on hand, or another part of the body, also has a geographical answer. Sacred paintings are trusted by masters from Asian countries.
Mandala is a symbol sacred to Buddhists. Translated from Sanskrit as center, platform.
Such tattoos were applied to people back in ancient times, in order to protect them from the flow of negative energy and as a talisman.
Who is it suitable for?
First of all, this symbol is suitable for people who are interested in studying Buddhism and the Vedas.
The mandala is suitable for a person passionate about spiritual development and searching for his place in the world.
The symbol itself is universal and suitable for both boys and girls. But the latter get a tattoo with this image much more often than representatives of the stronger half of humanity. This is probably simply due to the beauty and grace of the lines used in the symbol.
Places and style of tattoo.
The traditional color scheme for this type of tattoo consists of terracotta, red and green.
Girls most often get this tattoo on their wrists, forearms, neck or lower back.
Among the guys, there are owners of tattoo sleeves in which the symbol is present.
The placement of a mandala tattoo on the hand means that a person tries to perform each of the actions performed in accordance with his spiritual principles. In this case, the symbol seems to “guide” the person.
Also, sometimes the tattoo is placed in the center of the chest (for girls, just below the center). According to the teachings of Ayurveda, in this area there is<Манипура>. This chakra is the center of a person's personal power. In this case, the symbol should increase the flow of this energy.
The entire spectrum of the colorful mandala consists of 14 colors. Which includes 6 main ones - red, white, blue, yellow, black, green, as well as light, dark and moderate shades of some of them.
Symbol meaning
The main meaning of the symbol is spiritual balance and spiritual harmony. The mandala indicates the harmony of the universe and the connection of man with the cosmos. The symbol is believed to help avoid negative energy. Mandala also indicates the closedness of the universe: an endless series of rebirths.
Carl Gustav Jung identified the mandala as an archetypal symbol of human perfection - it is now used in psychotherapy as a means of achieving a complete understanding of one's own "I".
A little esoteric:
There is an opinion that a symbol applied to a person’s body interacts with it on subtle levels. It is believed that<Мандала>will “call” the owner for constant development. And therefore, it is better to avoid getting such a tattoo if you are not ready to move long and hard along this path.
The meaning of additional symbols in a tattoo
Mandala is a religious symbol reflecting the difficulty of moving from the boundaries of the conditioning of the world to the center of the universe, in order to achieve the Absolute.
The symbol itself is a schematic representation of the universe.
The image of a mandala is a circle inscribed in a square. The meaning of the symbols in the mandala tattoo traditionally for religious symbolism: each of the four triangles in the symbol means a cardinal direction.
Central circle Red symbolizes the element of fire, which consumes ignorance and gives liberation. Circle silver color means insight and gaining clarity in life.
Circle of lotus petals- service to a higher being.
Numerous ornate patterns, forming ornament should symbolize the complexity of the path to knowledge of the truth.
The OM sign may be located in the center of the sketch; it is believed that contemplation of such a mandala induces a dream foreshadowing the future.
The ornament of the symbol often uses images of the wheel of dharma, an endless knot, fish, zones, a lotus, and a victory banner. In Buddhism, Mandala simultaneously means both a dish with offerings for rituals and a geometric diagram of the structure of the universe.
Mandala is a schematic representation of the universe. Indicates the complex and thorny path of the human soul on the path to enlightenment and inner harmony.
Mandala is part of the practices of Hinduism and Buddhism. Monks make a model of the world from colored sand. This could be the wheel of Samsara, only by breaking out of which can one enter nirvana.
An abstract diagram of the lands of Buddha and the habitat of deities can also be drawn. A drawing is created for days on end and destroyed in a matter of minutes. Grains of sand are fluttered or swept away with brushes and particles of the mandala are distributed to believers.
They destroy the composition as a sign of the impermanence of the world. This idea lies at the heart of Buddhism. However, there are models that last for decades. We are talking about drawings on fabric, diagrams carved in wood and tattoos. Mandala tattoo is gaining popularity, like everything oriental. Therefore, we will continue to understand the meaning of the symbol using the example of body painting.
The meaning of the Mandala tattoo
Meaning tattoos follows from its name. The word mandala is translated from Sanskrit as “circle”. This figure is considered perfect. Plato and his teacher Socrates spoke about this. They proclaimed the circle to be a model of heaven. Buddhists and Hindus agree on this. The absence of corners means the absence of obstacles and negativity.
In the circle there is no aggression, no imbalance, only harmony. The figure in the form of which is performed mandala sign, tattoo, there is no beginning and end. This is a symbol of the closedness of the Universe, the infinity of life, consisting of a series of rebirths.
Mandala - tattoo sketch, which indicates people who are determined to understand the main thing, and not scattered about trifles. This is indicated by the structure of the models. In the center is the largest image. The smallest elements are located at the periphery. Conclusion: - to know the world, you need to know yourself. To know yourself means to focus on the spiritual. This is the most important thing.
The meaning of a mandala tattoo depends on the nuances of the image, including the drawing of the central element. Thus, in Hinduism, a “devil’s finger” is often depicted in the middle of the diagram. Another name is the diamond rod. It symbolizes the fusion of masculine and feminine principles. It turns out that with the Hindu version of the mandala, it is a sign of the destruction of the dualistic model of the world.
Talisman - another meaning of tattoos "mandala". Photo of tattoo from catalogs are a way to call on the gods for help. The interpretation will be explained by the legend about the creation of the world's first mandala. It was made by the founder of the Vajrayana. This is a tantric movement in Buddhism. A man made a sand model in the 8th century AD.
The artist needed help from higher powers. They remained deaf to the pleas. Then, the petitioner decided to lure the gods with the beauty of the hand-made painting. The bet worked. The spirits descended from heaven to the man standing in the center of the mandala.
Victory over fears - another transcript mandala tattoos. What does it mean symbol, said Gustave Jung. He became the first Western psychologist to study Buddhist patterns. The professor began to compile them daily. The first experience dates back to 1916.
After a couple of years, Jung came to the conclusion that the drawings reflected his inner state on a specific date. After analyzing his mental transformation, Gustave came to the conclusion that during the practice of mandalas he got rid of many fears. Since then, creating colorful paintings has been one of the methods of therapy.
Features of the Mandala tattoo
On the hand, back, stomach, thigh, chest and head mandalas are appropriate. Choose a smaller area of the body and you will get a crumpled image. Buddhist schemes are filled with nuances and are full of colors. In order for each element of the composition to be read, it must be of impressive size. The picture will not fit on your finger, neck, ear, or wrist.
Mandala-themed stylizations can be monochromatic and simplified. However, classical models of the Universe are filled with all the colors of the rainbow. This is why there is a mandala and a diagram of the world to demonstrate all its elements and colors. There are also narrowly focused mandalas, but they are an invention of Europeans. It was no longer psychologists like Jung who tried, but magicians. They took, for example, one of the cards of the tarot deck and made a circular composition from repetitions of the form.
Its contemplation, esotericists say, introduces tender feelings into a person’s life and allows one to meet the other half. Mandala of love – tattoo in orange and blue tones. These are the colors of the Ace of Cups - the same card taken as the basis of the model.
The circular shape of the mandalas implies their location in the center of the “canvas”. They look harmonious between the shoulder blades, around the navel, on the top of the head. Balance can also be seen in the paired patterns on the knees. However, getting tattoos in joint areas is painful, and not everyone will decide to do it.
The lateral location of the picture is advantageous if it is divided into two parts. The second half is displayed on the adjacent foot or hand. When you connect the limbs, you get a complete picture.
Mandala tattoo for men and women
Mandala is a universal symbol. equally suitable for both men and women. You have to take into account not so much the meaning as the aesthetics of the tattoo. The shape of a circle visually expands the area where it is located. So, mandala tattoo on back will make it more massive. If you place the pattern between the shoulder blades, the shoulder girdle will expand.
The picture in the lumbar area eliminates the waist, which can ruin a girl’s figure. For women, it is better to order two mandalas and apply them on the sides. The drawings are a kind of shadows. They will darken the skin, visually narrowing the waist.
Mandalas on men's biceps are a way to emphasize volume. Women, as a rule, do not need to highlight the reliefs of their bodies. Ladies use circular paintings to focus on the fragility and grace of the figure. Thus, the swan neck is perfectly emphasized by a large mandala, starting from the collarbones and reaching almost to the chin.
It turns out to be a sort of tight-fitting necklace. Both philosophy and decoration in one “bottle”. Beautiful hands will complement the mandalas on their front side. The patterns will complement rings and well-groomed nails. Well-groomed feet will also not be spoiled by a geometric plot filled with bright colors.
Men often ask to stylize a mandala like a watch dial, a car wheel, a planet, or a gear. Girls prefer parallels with flowers. The easiest way is to “tailor” the scheme to a rose and lotus. At the same time, the philosophy of the model will be preserved. Both flowers symbolize harmony and connection with the sky.
Representatives of both sexes love to stylize the mandala as a labyrinth. Considering that the diagram is a model of the Universe, the labyrinth inside it is a merging of paths, among which you need to find the right one. The picture becomes a symbol of life's throwing, attempts to find a way out of this or that situation. Perhaps the choice is before you too. - one of the ways to find the right path. The main thing is to take the application of the mandala seriously.
With the advent of Eastern Europeans, and, in particular, Indian culture, Buddhism, and other philosophical movements, the mandala tattoo became an integral part of the art of tattooing. This is a unique phenomenon that could not be missed in our country. Today, on the streets of cities, it is not difficult to find men and women with similar images painted on their skin. We will try to figure out what the mandala symbol means, what it is like, and even on what parts of the body it is usually applied. We will also discuss the styles in which the image can be made.
To understand the meaning of a mandala tattoo, you need to understand the meaning of such diagrams in general.
So, if we dig a little deeper into history, we will find out that this is not just a beautiful picture consisting of patterns, but a kind of blueprint of the universe, our entire universe.
Although we are accustomed to consider the Middle Ages as the era of development of mathematics, as well as our time - the 20th and 21st centuries, it was well developed in ancient India and China. The geometry of the universe is a topic that can be discussed for a very long time. Essentially, mandalas are a flat, two-dimensional model. It can be a circle inscribed in a square, have the shape, or be a fractal. In any case, the geometric accuracy of all lines is maintained.
Mandala with feathers on the back
Mandala under the chest
Mandala with a fox face
Mandala pattern in blue
Magnificent mandala on the sacrum
Mandala in old school style
Mandala with space in the center
Mandala in watercolor style
Cute mandala on belly
In some cases, the image can be divided into four sides - north (green), south (yellow), west (red), east (white). The central segment is usually colored blue. However, there are other variations depending on local interpretations. Each color represents a part of the human personality. Often mythological creatures and deities are drawn nearby. They can be either neutral or violent. Inside, patterns of complex elements, colors, and various characters are often depicted.
Mandala with various characters Such a colored mandala can have many meanings, from zodiac to religious. Some are created for contemplation in order to comprehend the secrets of the universe, others are symbols of good luck, or protective signs. Often, classical Indian mandalas are tied to a Vedic plot and symbolize certain sections of sacred treatises.
Colored classic mandalas A similar tattoo with a lotus flower or rose is found in many Eastern cultures. Its carriers can be yogis, clergy, and ordinary residents. It is believed that the mandala has an ideal shape. Therefore, it is used in construction, believing that small objects - an altar, a temple, a house - should be created according to a universal matrix, a template of the universe.
If you want to gain some kind of spiritual fullness and integrity, such a tattoo will perfectly cope with changes in your life.
There are also more original drawings, which are sometimes difficult to understand. For example, what does an elephant with a mandala tattoo mean? The animal usually symbolizes the Indian god Ganesha. This mythological character is one of the kindest and most positive.
Mandala with elephant god Ganesh Often, looking at numerous photos of mandala tattoos on the Internet, you can notice how different they all are. Each drawing has its own sacred meaning, and it is difficult to decide which one to make.
Even the Dalai Lama spoke about the significance of such drawings. According to him, this is a powerful tool that can influence not only the spiritual aspects of a person’s life, but also psychophysiology. He calls the drawings resonators, creating information fields that influence the electrical activity of the brain. It is worth noting that the Dalai Lama is one of the smartest people of our time. He regularly participates in conferences of neuroscientists and other scientists.
Dalai Lama and mandala Tibetan mandalas, or yantras, are becoming no less popular than the plots of the Indian and Chinese styles.
You can often see combined designs that combine classics and more modern motifs, and even fantasy. For example, a mandala-style moon tattoo is popular among girls.
Some people choose a drawing on special websites, others order unique images from specialists, created individually for each person. There are universal options for harmonization that suit everyone.
In psychology, there is a technique in which mandalas are used in the practice of comprehending one’s own “I”. The system is based on an earlier one based in India. There it was called rangoli.
Mandala tattoos for men and women
The best mandala tattoo for girls is the mandala of love and harmony. Even if you are not yet planning to have a family and children, this image will help you get an internal balance of physical and spiritual, masculine and feminine, strength and humility. It is the desire for internal balance that makes many people go to get such a tattoo. The female version often has many rounded details and monograms.
Women's love mandala with floral motifs Are there mandala tattoos for men? Considering that initially this is religious - philosophical and cosmological symbolism, the answer is affirmative. And let’s not forget that harmony and internal balance are needed not only by representatives of the fair half of humanity.
Where to get a tattoo and how does it affect?
If we talk about purely female options, we often encounter:
- Mandala tattoo under the chest - in the area of the manipura chakra;
- On the chest is the heart chakra;
- On the lower back - in the area of the svadhisthana chakra.
It is believed that a mandala tattoo on the hand seems to guide a person’s life, conducting certain cosmic signals through his body. Therefore, it is worth paying close attention to what meaning this symbol will carry. You can depict it on the hand or on the wrist. An interesting placement option is the elbow, both on its outer and inner sides.
Energy channels pass through the wrist into the palm. Through the left we receive energy information flows, and through the right we send them to the outside world. By choosing a drawing, you can program the physical and subtle bodies to work more correctly with flows. Sometimes the mandala enhances the data transmission speed.
A girl's mandala will also look beautiful. However, it is worth thinking about where exactly the center of the picture will be placed. Experts recommend carefully studying the layout of the main energy centers on the human body. For example, on the back there are only three main (chakras). These are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chakras. That is, the areas starting from the lumbosacral region and ending with the chest. There are small centers in other parts of the human body.
Mandala on the back of a girl in the lumbosacral region If you do not want to tie the drawing to a certain point on the body’s energy map, you can use universal options. Often there is a tattoo on the forearm, on the leg - foot, thigh, calf, ankles, or even knee.
A mandala on the ribs would look great. The two-sided option is quite common.
Mandala tattoo on the ribs for girls and guys Another great solution is a mandala tattoo on the neck. This area of the body is interesting because it is a kind of transition point between the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of human existence.
Girls often order a mandala tattoo on the collarbone. Typically, an image of this kind has small dimensions.
You can use mandalas and additional details to make a tattoo sleeve. It will look impressive and beautiful, while carrying a special sacred meaning for each person. You can use patterns of different meanings. Some will harmonize you, others will protect you from various negative external influences, and others will.
Mandala tattoo sleeve for a girl and a guy Tattoo styles
When choosing design options, a customer in a tattoo salon thinks about several things:
- Style and technique;
- Dimensions;
- Color.
There are many styles, but only those that imply geometric precision are suitable for such a tattoo. What to choose? Here are some ideas:
- Graphics are a great style that allows thin black lines to create the perfect design. In order for it to turn out geometrically correct, it is first made on paper, all angles and proportions are measured, then the contours are transferred to the skin and filled in with a machine. The procedure is complex and painstaking.
- A dotted mandala would also look great. This style is ideal for sacred designs and various symbols. It got its name due to the fact that the technique involves drawing an image with separate dots.
- If you want something unusual, order a white mandala.
- The background (traditional) is green, closer to an emerald hue, and copper tones of red.
The size depends on the location on your body. It is logical that a mandala tattoo on the back will be larger than a similar image adorning the wrist.
For mandala tattoos, sketches can be found on websites dedicated to Buddhism and Tibetan traditions. Under the pictures there is often a brief description of the meaning and symbolism of each picture.
