what is a mandala ?

this is what I do — it’s the wheel thing — all hand painted.

The word Mandala comes from a classical language called Sanskrit spoken for more than 2500 years in parts of the Indian sub-continent. Loosely (very) translated it means circle usually referring to a circle that is special or, if you like, sacred.

It is true that mandala-esque forms are prevalent throughout the world. You can consider Gothic Rose Windows, Islamic temples, North American Medicine Wheels and Aboriginal Bora Rings all examples of the Mandala. The idea being that mandala is generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, microcosm of the Universe from our, the human perspective.

namaste

        make your own circle in the sand - 

                       t h e  m a n d a l a   g a l l e r y                                                                                                                                                 

this is the art of Stephen Meakin

It is sometimes divided into Manada—cream or best part and la—signpost or completion.

It represents the idea of wholeness or completeness; an ideal diagram that can remind us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life from the celestial circles we call earth, sun and moon, as well as conceptual circles representing  friends, family and community.

Click on an image and take a closer look!