English Reference

Word

mandala

Phoneticsman·dala

/ˈmɑdəɫə/

Definition

n. a circle or pattern that represents the universe in some religions. People often draw them to help them relax or focus their minds.

n. a symbolic representation of the universe, typically in the form of a geometric pattern or a circular diagram. Often used in meditation or as a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Examples

“She spent the afternoon coloring a beautiful mandala.”

“The artist spent weeks creating a complex mandala using traditional pigments and intricate geometric shapes.”

“In many Eastern traditions, the mandala serves as a visual aid for meditation, helping practitioners achieve a state of inner balance and spiritual clarity through its symmetrical design.”

Examples

simple

“She spent the afternoon coloring a beautiful mandala.”

contextual

“The artist spent weeks creating a complex mandala using traditional pigments and intricate geometric shapes.”

complex

“In many Eastern traditions, the mandala serves as a visual aid for meditation, helping practitioners achieve a state of inner balance and spiritual clarity through its symmetrical design.”

Etymology

Borrowed from Sanskrit मण्डल (máṇḍala). Doublet of mandal.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference