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.
The shape of this mandala tattoo isn’t distorted by the curves of the body, as it has been placed on a flat area between the shoulder blades. The pattern of curved lines appears almost animated, giving this mandala tattoo a lively appeal. The colors used in this mandala tattoo are popular with people who live spiritual, gothic lifestyles. [source]
Tattoo by Daemon Rowanchilde
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 colors and patterns of this mandala tattoo create a floral effect. Mandalas are sometimes known as “flowers of life”, symbolizing the blossoming of life as time progresses. The lighter color tattoo ink at the center of the tattoo draws the eye inwards, a symbol of self-reflection. [source]
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.
This mandala tattoo design uses honey bees and honey comb in the artwork as a symbol of the circle of life. Bees are symbols of femininity, fertility and caring. Honey is a life-giving substance that is sweet and golden, symbolizing the elixir of life or life force. Honey is made by bees from nectar that the bees collect from flowers. Displaying the honey comb within the flower is a symbol of how all aspects of life are inter-connected and reliant on each other. [source]
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.
Tribal mandala tattoos like this one represent balance, because all parts of the tattoo design mirror another part. Designs like these also represent eternity, because the circle and the celtic knot designs have no end. The four points can represent the four directions, the four elements or the four seasons, all of which are symbolic of the different stages of life. [source]
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.
This mandala tattoo is not a traditional mandala design. The mandala tattoo was designed for the client by the tattoo artist, based on the symbol in the middle which stands for truth and honesty. The leaf-like patterns give this tattoo design a floral effect, adding to the symbolism of the mandala as the flower of life. [source]
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.
Many mandala tattoo designs resemble the colorful patterns found in the rose windows of Christian churches. Using dark outlines for the shapes within a mandala tattoo adds to this stained glass effect, resembling the lead used to hold the pieces of colored glass together. [source]
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.
This mandala tattoo design has a stem and leaves, making it into a true flower of life tattoo. The art style and darker colors give this tattoo a medieval effect, as though it has popped off the page of an illuminated text. [source]
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.
Mandala tattoo designs are sometimes referred to as sacred circles, because many mandala designs are made up of circles. The tattoo mandala above uses circles and triangles. Triangles are a symbol of the holy trinity. This trinity can be mind, body, spirit or father, son, holy ghost or maiden, mother, crone. The three points can represent any three things that are in harmony. A six-sided star made from two triangles is a symbol of guidance (star of david) or a balance between the animus and anima, the male and female aspects of the psyche. [source]
