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mandala

a geometric design symbolizing the universe, used in Hindu and Buddhist spiritual practice

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Where does the word "mandala" come from? It comes from Sanskrit mandala, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

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Where does the word "mandala" come from? It comes from Sanskrit mandala, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Mandala’s story begins in Sanskrit: mandala meant “a circle.” Literally circle, a geometric spiritual and ritual symbol representing the cosmos. It reached English by 1900s as mandala. Sanskrit 'circle'; Carl Jung used mandalas in psychotherapy. Today, mandala means a geometric design symbolizing the universe, used in Hindu and Buddhist spiritual practice.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient mandala "a circle", literally circle, a geometric spiritual and ritual symbol representing the cosmos.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s mandala "a symbolic circular design representing the cosmos", Sanskrit 'circle'; Carl Jung used mandalas in psychotherapy.

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