Art History Special: Geometry and Art

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Art History Special Geometry and Art
Mandalas
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Timeline
The circle has been symbolic to many cultures
through history. It was as early as the 8th
century that the mandala may have been used in
Tibet as an aid to meditation.
Mandala
Tibetian Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of
the Naropa tradition, Vajrayogini stands in the
center of two crossed red triangles, Rubin Museum
of Art. Image in public domain. 
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What is it?
A mandala (Sanskrit for circle) is a geometric
design that is used symbolically and ritually in
some religions, particularly Buddhism and
Hinduism as well as in some Native American
cultures.
Mandala
Hindu mandala. (Yantra) Released to public domain
by Nharipra through Wikimedia Commons
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Whats it used for?
Mandalas often contain images of religious
deities such as Buddha or other figures. It is
believed that their purpose is to aid in
meditation and perhaps, inspire
visualizations. Mandalas are also used sometimes
in psychotherapy. In Tibetian Buddhism they are
used for healing. Some people believe that
mandalas help create wholeness and unity.
Mandala
17th century art from Indian manuscript. Public
Domain
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Sand Painting
Sand Mandalas Below are links to two
interesting videos showing Buddhist monks doing
sand painting of mandalas. http//www.youtube.com/
watch?vAl4zxj7WNsYfeaturerelated http//www.you
tube.com/watch?vq6b7iro-qZ4featurerelated
Israeli Sand Paintings website showing a
large variety fo sand painting of mandalas and
other mandalas http//www.maagalot.com/album_eng.a
sp?id48
Mandala
Photo of a Chenrezig Sand Mandala created and
exhibited at the House of Commons on the occasion
of the visit of the Dalai Lama on 21 May 2008.
GNU free license at Wikimedia granted by Colonel
Warden, photographer.
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Tibetan Buddhist thangka painting of a mandala,
19th century. Public domain through Wikimedia
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Window of Marsh Chapel at Boston University John
Stephen Dwyer photograph, Wikimedia Creative
Commons ShareAlike 3.0 license
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1900. Painting of Mahavira. Public Domain image
photographed by Jules Jain, Wikimedia Commons.
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Public domain image, Painted 17th century Tibetan
'Five Deity Mandala', in the center is Rakta
Yamari (the Red Enemy of Death) embracing his
consort Vajra Vetali, in the corners are the Red,
Green White and Yellow Yamari, Rubin Museum of
Art
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Examples
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vtTxbj6ZdokMhttp//w
ww.youtube.com/watch?vTsP1xRV6wjEfeaturerelated
Link Above Short video showing a mandala being
drawn. Link Below Longer video showing a large
variety of mandalas and mandala type
art. http//www.youtube.com/watch?v_Cdn6NODX58fe
aturerelated
Mandala
Tibetian. Kalachakra thangka painted in Sera
Monastery, Tibet. Released into the public domain
by Kosigrim through Wikimedia