New Mandalas - their Meaning and their Mystery

Although no one today knows for sure what the true meaning of the Celtic spirals and knot work are, or indeed represent – what is certain is that these designs appear to be as old and mysterious as time itself. 

Showing up first on cave and rock art all over the world, they made their appearance in the 'Celtic' lands of Ireland, Scotland, England, Brittany and Wales about 5,000 years ago as stone carvings and on other monuments. 

From ancient times right up to the present day, these spiral and interlacing knot work motifs, along with animal zoomorphics, have been a constant within Irish art. craft and cultural traditions. The Irish version, which also appeared in Scotland and the north of England around the fifth century within the pages of illustrated manuscripts such as The Book of Kells and The Book of Durrow, brought these ornate and intricate designs to remarkable levels of detail and beauty.

There is much speculation on the meaning of these designs and patterns. Some say they represent a transcendental spiritual path between the material and non-material world; that the interweaving patterns may be a symbolic representation of inhalation and exhalation of the life force in each of us, and the ceaseless flow of energy and movement, both on a personal level and in terms of the universe itself. Others put forward the idea of both the spirals and the interlacing knot motifs as being representations of running water and carry the idea of fertility and the continuity of life, while still others speculate that the spirals speak of the transmigration of souls to alternative realities. 

A twelfth century scholar by the name of Giraldus Cambrensis wrote this after examining an illuminated Irish gospel manuscript, which may quite possibly have been referring to The Book of Kells:

"Examine it carefully, and you will penetrate to the very shrine of art. You will make out intricacies so delicate and subtle, so concise and compact, so full of knots and links, in colours so fresh and vivid, that you might think all of this was the work of an angel, not of a man."

One thing for certain, though, is that these designs resonate deeply with people from all cultures and traditions – as if we are witnessing some primal compass point leading us back to the higher aspects of one's consciousness.

As Carl Jung wrote, "Because there are innumerable things beyond the range of human understanding, we constantly use symbolic terms to represent concepts that we cannot define or fully comprehend."

These designs and motifs – from spirals to knots to animal zoomorphics, as well as the colours and colour combinations used – all work together to create a sense of a personal meditative journey being taken by both the artist and the viewer.

Here are some new mandalas we've been working on, with more new ones being created and offer as these go off to new homes.

Which designs, motifs and colours resonate most with you?