oil on canvas

A mandala is geometric pattern found in nearly all cultures that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the universe from a human perspective. In various spiritual traditions, a mandala may be empolyed as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to trance induction and meditation. Its symbolic nature can help one to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises. The psychoanalyst Carl Jung saw the mandala as a representation of the unconscious self.

The trinity symbols in the mandala represent a female and a male soul. In symbolism, a triangle with the point facing downwards stands for a female and a triangle with the point facing upwards stands for a male. The body, mind, and spirit make up the three parts of the trinity. As the trinity symbols unite, a brick foundation holds them strong through sharing the same eye, the same vision and understanding. From this unity, life is brought forth, represented by the green plant-life that sprouts from the eye. The male and female are surrounded by four sets of koi fish, all representing the four elements of our world: earth, water, air, and fire. Since earth and water are considered the feminine aspects of nature, the black and blue koi fish are situated on the upper half of the mandala that represents the female half. Air and fire are considered the masculine aspects of nature, so the pale and red koi fish are situated on the lower half of the mandala that represents the male half. All koi fish have a green background, a color that represents life. In the Japanese culture, koi fish are a symbol of strength, endurance, and love. Therefore, the two souls shall be surrounded by qualities that are essential for a fulfilling survival. Female and male are complementary, represented by the air and water koi, and the fire and earth koi located directly across from one another. Air can turn into water through condensation and water can turn into air through evaporation. Earth can turn into fire through the burning of wood, and fire can turn into earth in the form of ashes. With each half of the mandala having both red and blue in the background, this also represents how two worlds complement and balance each other. Traveling away from the koi fish that represent our world, there is an atmosphere and ultimately, an endless black universe.