If you’ve ever come across Asian spiritual art, chances are you’ve seen a mandala. The word comes from Sanskrit, meaning “circle,” and, while the designs are striking, their role in Hindu and Buddhist traditions runs much deeper than decoration. Mandalas represent the universe itself: maps of order, balance, and connection, and have long been used in meditation and rituals across Tibet, China, and Japan.
Today, beyond temples and sacred texts, mandalas have taken on a new relevance in the West, embraced in art therapy and psychology as tools to ease stress, quiet anxiety, and bring a sense of focus in an increasingly fractured world.
Click through the following gallery to see how these ancient circles of meaning continue to inspire art and healing.