Mandala - Hand-Crafted Wood burning (Pyrography) on Birch or Basswood

The meaning of mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning “circle.” Even though it may be have features like squares or triangles, a mandala always has a concentric (circular) nature. Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction. In the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Shintoism it is used as a map representing deities, or especially in the case of Shintoism, paradises, kami or actual shrines. A mandala generally represents the spiritual journey, starting from outside to the inner core, through layers. All my work is hand made with TLC on basswood or birch. Each piece can be finished with epoxy for a high-gloss shine, or a tinted oil for a deeper, richer effect. Or it can be left natural. I can even add colour if you'd like!