Mandala facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Manjuvajramandala con 43 divinità - Unknown - Google Cultural Institute
Thangka painting of Manjuvajra mandala

A mandala (emphasis on first syllable; Sanskrit मण्डल, maṇḍala – literally "circle") is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. In common use, "mandala" has become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.

The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T. Mandalas often have radial balance.

The term appears in the Rigveda as the name of the sections of the work, and Vedic rituals use mandalas such as the Navagraha mandala to this day. Mandalas are also used in Buddhism.

In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.

Images for kids

  • Vishnu Mandala

    Mandala of Vishnu

  • Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of the Naropa tradition, Vajrayogini stands in the center of two crossed red triangles, Rubin Museum of Art

    Tantric mandala of Vajrayogini

  • Chenrezig Sand Mandala

    Chenrezig sand mandala created at the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on the occasion of the Dalai Lama's visit in May 2008

  • Marsh-chapel-window

    The round window at the site of the Marsh Chapel Experiment supervised by Walter Pahnke

  • Sri Yantra 256bw

    A diagramic drawing of the Sri Yantra, showing the outside square, with four T-shaped gates, and the central circle

  • Vishnu Mandala

    Vishnu Mandala(Traditionally found in Nepal)

  • Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of the Naropa tradition, Vajrayogini stands in the center of two crossed red triangles, Rubin Museum of Art

    Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of the Naropa tradition, Vajrayogini stands in the center of two crossed red triangles, Rubin Museum of Art

  • Medicine Buddha painted mandala with goddess Prajnaparamita in center, 19th century, Rubin

    Painted Bhutanese Medicine Buddha mandala with the goddess Prajnaparamita in center, 19th century, Rubin Museum of Art

  • Mandala of the Six Chakravartins

    Mandala of the Six Chakravartins

  • Vajravarahi Mandala

    Vajravarahi Mandala

  • KalachakraSera

    Kalachakra Mandala

  • Sankhitta Sangheyani Cosmography

    Jain cosmological diagrams and text.

  • Tawang Monastery Doorway Mandala

    A mandala near the entrance to Tawang Monastery.

  • Mandala Golden Flower Jung

    Mandala painted by a patient of Carl Jung

  • The Birth of the son of God

    A modern mandala

  • Mahavra 1900 art

    Jain picture of Mahavira

  • Easy Mandala

    Easy mandala

  • Mandala of Desires Mandali Mendrilla China Art Museum

    Mandali Mendrilla's interactive sculpture dress "Mandala of Desires" at the China Art Museum in Shanghai, November 2015


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Mandala Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.