The mandala is one of the most universal spiritual symbols of any religion. Coincidentally, most symbolize the universe, consciousness, and the self, all reconciled in one image.
Mandalas, as most know them, come primarily from Hinduism and Buddhism, but religious and spiritual scholars have identified mandala-like symbols in a variety of other religions, primarily Christianity. they are rapidly rising in popularity as a tattoo idea for the boldness of their designs and are part of the top 50 tattoo ideas in 2020.
In general, they comprise intricate patterns and details confined within a circle. later circles have later meanings, and the specific meanings differ between regions, sects, religions, and the means by which they are created.
the mandala was introduced and popularized in western society by psychologist carl jung, student and colleague of sigmund freud. The first mandalas Jung discovered were the ones he created.
“every morning I drew a small circular drawing in a notebook”, jung wrote in his book memoirs, dreams, reflections, “… which seemed to correspond to my inner situation at that moment. … only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is: … the self, the totality of the personality, which if all goes well is harmonious.” Jung then related them to the similar spiritual images of Hinduism and Buddhism. he was the first to categorize these images as “mandala”, a word he borrowed from an Indian dialect.
While the details of each intricate mandala design differ, Jung believed they tapped into a universal reality shared by all people. he summed them up by writing, “the mandala has a conservative purpose, namely, to restore a previously existing order. but it also fulfills the creative purpose of giving expression and form to something that does not yet exist, something new and unique. … the process is that of the ascending spiral, growing upwards while simultaneously returning again and again to the same point.”
Hindu and Buddhist mandalas differ slightly.
In Hinduism, they are widely known as yantra and are used in meditation rituals. each yantra is unique and relates to a specific god. the later yantra rings help the individual to invoke the qualities bestowed by a respective god, using it to summon it. in this way, the yantra connects with the heavens but is translated into practices lived by individuals and acts as a guide.
mandalas also have political significance in Hinduism. the ancient author kautilya, in his political work arthashastra, used them to describe the composition of the state. according to kautilya, the raja-mandala places the king in the center, and each ring that surrounds him describes different factions and groups that make up his kingdom.
In Buddhism, mandalas function primarily in a religious context. As in Hinduism, they act as a guide in meditation, but instead of guiding their devotee in their daily life, they lead Buddhist monks in chanting. decorate temples throughout the Buddhist world.
In the Tibetan sect of Vajrayana Buddhism, it is common practice to create an intricate mandala pattern with colored sand. Jung probably received his conception of mandalas from the Vajrayana teachings, which, as one scholar writes, represent the pure and enlightened mind through circular symbols. Vajrayana mandalas portray the mind as “a microcosm representing various divine powers at work in the universe.”
The meaning of any mandala design is often felt before it is known. Deeply spiritual people wear a mandala as a tattoo to represent their belief in the connection between all things. the mandala tattoo design represents your consciousness, and your consciousness represents the universe, and therefore the mandala tattoo represents the universe. Although it is a permanent mark, they know that they themselves are as impermanent as the sand paintings of the Vajrayana monks, who, as each mandala is completed, wipe the slate clean and begin anew.
This mandala flower hand tattoo is a prime example of versatility in design. By starting in the center and working outward, the tattoo artist can build a work of art of intensity without having to sacrifice basic mandala principles such as balance and unity. This mandala tattoo also works to complement the subject’s previous geometric body art.
Another mandala tattoo design that fits effortlessly with an existing ink. the use of the color red along with cleverly applied white ink highlights add a slightly different element to the traditional balance of black and grey. this is a technically excellent shoulder tattoo.
The tattoo artist uses a combination of styles to create a beautiful flower mandala tattoo on the chest. again, the versatility in its representation helps to combine the piece with previous works. the artist has worked hard to complement the thick black lines in the outer image, with various circles of negative space linked with difficult and time-consuming levels of dot work.
wow. This is a truly remarkable black and gray expression of different tattoo styles combined with masterful technique to create full arm sleeve tattoo art. the versatile mandala design unfurls to create a link to more esoteric geometric tattoos, such as the labyrinth on the wrist or the black and negative space vortex on the upper arm. This is rich and interesting work of great quality that could be transferred into a coloring book for adult stress reduction!
the variety of this beautiful mandala tattoo is amazing. It is through these types of tattoos that you gain an understanding of how the mandala is known as the circle in Sanskrit. Had the subject not run out of available skin, the mandala images could continue to expand outward, building and thriving based on subtly different expressions of lines, patterns, and shadows.
This mandala feature on the chest is a cool piece of tattoo art. it bursts out of the tiny circle of central negative space in layer after layer of highly detailed triangular patterns of black and gray shading. however, the mandala images do not really conform to the shape of the subject’s shoulders, nor do they link clearly; it’s a bit of a black mess.
The success of the center technique is lost in the transitions of a differently shaped canvas. a different pattern of traditional mandala application for the shoulders may have resulted in more successful side images.
This small, almost minimalist mandala tattoo successfully uses the dotwork style to create the quintessential radiant image. The artist has applied this tattoo with a sublime technique; you can see how each point contributes to the balance of the mandala and provides a negative balance.
Two different mandala tattoos sit on the shoulder and extend towards the chest. It is interesting that under the central idea of the mandala of harmony, circle and balance, these mandalas do not quite fit. the upper tattoo on the shoulder encroaches on the lower ink and is also cut off near the neckline.
This series of mandala tattoos transforms into a successful sleeve tattoo. the image is a bit zoomed out for close-up detail, but the body art flows nicely, with the possible exception of the unique lotus mandala that stands out from the rest of the arm work. the upper arm sleeve stands out, with two zero-space center brackets working bands for gradual changes in color and pattern as the mandala radiates outward.
this is a beautiful piece created by mixing amazing layers of mandala images with the strange and abstract central image of the bird. the delivery is masterful, from the gray shading of the bird’s feathers to the different sized mandalas, all working in concert to become a brilliantly interconnected full back tattoo.
This mandala shoulder tattoo effectively places the artwork in an awkward space. the artist has done a great job of allowing the central image to “flatten” against the shoulder, and then chose to work outward from this point with patterns suited to the angles created by the bones and tendons. Another striking part of this tattoo design is the expert deployment of small dots in the central mandala and uniquely shaded throughout other dots in the tattoo.
This is a funky mandala tattoo. I bet there are many people with stress problems who are itching to grab a set of colored pencils. With no shadows to speak of, this body art relies on clever patterns and changes of direction to achieve the sense of unity and circle that mandalas are known for. this piece can be left as is, shaded black and grey, or filled in entirely with layers of bright colors.
The technical skill required to form the intricate details of this mandala tattoo is almost off the charts. the intensity required to create this work of art (each level radiates from the previous with a different degree of clear and precise black work) is almost as impressive as the results.
the upper arm where the mandala is cut to meet the previous work, including some j.r.r. tolkien’s elvish runes, changing diagonally from light to dark, show an expert level of skill in shading and technique. this is a poster worthy work of a master!
Below are more mandala tattoo ideas for you to explore. you can make them with stunning black ink and negative space, or you can make them pop with vibrant colors.
Do mandalas have meaning?
mandala means circle in Sanskrit. symbolizes balance, eternity, unity and perfection. the mandala is a key motif in the Hindu and Buddhist religions. it commonly represents the universe and can also be described as “the center of the environment” or “sacred circle”.
Mandalas are often used to promote a sense of peace, calm, and tranquility, which is often helpful in yoga teachings, meditation practice, and various methods used to relieve stress while presenting a wide range of versatile meanings.
Where do mandala tattoos come from?
In Western culture, mandalas are used to promote balance and harmony. this idea extends to mandalas becoming a spiritually linked method of tattooing, body art and peace in general.
Mandala patterns and images start at a central point and then radiate outward in a circle, with a variety of other images or patterns making up the whole. They are often very intricate and detailed sets of images when put together and create aesthetically pleasing tattoos that many people respond to on a deeper level.
Do boys get mandala tattoos?
Mandala tattoos are popular with both boys and girls. As men become more vocal in their quest for lifestyle balance and stress relief, mandala tattoo ideas have become an increasingly popular choice, especially for those seeking geometric style ink. with a spiritual meaning.
