Mandala Tattoo: Can You Feel The Magic?
Want a mandala tattoo? Understandable! We give you tips, ideas and information for orientation and inspiration.
Do you also know Mandalas as occupational therapy from your childhood? A few years ago, the exotic forms were especially popular with teachers – for example, to give them to students who finished their tasks faster than expected. Well, that was before. Today Mandala-Tattoos belong to the hottest tattoo designs at all!
Mandala Tattoos: Origin and meaning
The term mandala comes from Sanskrit and means simply translated “circle”. In Hinduism and Buddhism, mandalas have a spiritual meaning and fulfil a rather important task: Originally, mandalas are used to depict complex religious contexts – so that we as human beings can grasp and understand them better.
Despite its literal meaning, a mandala can appear as a square or, in its simplest form, as a triangle symbolizing the Trinity of our universe of heaven, earth and underworld. In any case, mandalas should have a centre or a focal point where everything runs to or from which the entire design originates. That is why circular designs tend to be the most popular and widespread – also for tattoos.
Mandala Tattoos: Chic and trendy
For tattoo designs in Mandala style, the original, religious meaning usually plays at best a subordinate role – the appearance counts first and foremost! Of course, there are numerous artists who are familiar with the culture and history of mandalas and who can also design traditional patterns with symbolic content (in Hamburg, for example, Sonja Punktum).
But to get a mandala tattoo you don’t have to convert to the Buddhist faith or go to a Hindu artist – these things are just très chic! Furthermore, even mandala designs that primarily meet aesthetic demands often have a somehow magical, calming effect if you look at them for a long time. Spirituality? Check!
Mandala Tattoo: Inspirations
The design possibilities of Mandala tattoos are almost unlimited: Fine-line elements, Dot Work, Black-and-Grey or colour and this in all possible geometrical forms, different combinations and at different body parts. Duplications are almost impossible, unless you go to a tattoo artist who works with “designs off the rack” instead of creating an individual design for you.
Classic circle mandalas fit particularly well on round or large areas of the body such as thighs, shoulders or back…
… but generally Mandala designs can be adapted to any body shape.
Combined with a motive? Why not?!
And just so you know that even mandala tattoos in color look better than the ones we used to make at school 😅