Create Mandala Art of Family History: Creatively and Intuitively Connecting to the Ancestors.
- Jan 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 28, 2024
The creation of a mandala art piece infused with family history can create a gateway to unlocking pathways to ancestral healing. As a creative energy healer, budding as a genealogist beyond my own family lineage, I love to share with you a creative practice that intertwines the sacred symbols of mandalas with the intricate threads of your family's history. This meditative spiritual practice is a great way to leap into spiritual practices honoring your ancestors.
Understanding Mandala Symbols and Creation
Mandalas, rooted in ancient spiritual practices, are intricate geometric designs representing the universe. The word Mandala is Sanskrit for “circle” or “discoid object.” Mandala art holds mystic symbolism and is prominent in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. The circle is a spiritual shape, symbolizing infinite completion. The Mandala is used as an instrument of meditation and a symbol of prayers.
The Mandala is created with a central point, and around it are circles, squares, and other sacred symbols that hold a meaning for the creator. Creating a mandala is meditative art, offering a profound connection to one's inner self and the cosmos, which includes our family lineages.
Incorporating the Family Pedigree
While creating a circular family chart, I began to realize the representation of a family's generations within the rings and layers reminded me of the mandala. I then begin to play with the idea of this and welcome my benevolent creative ancestors in for additional insight and inspiration.
This project is a beautiful addition to family heirlooms, genealogy binders, or ancestral grimoires to connect generations to healing and discovery.
Crafting Your Mandala
For this liberating exercise, gather simple materials – markers, paper, or watercolors. Create circles by using everyday items or using a template, allowing your artistic expression to flow freely.
Diving into Generations
Begin with six circles, one larger than the other, growing from the center which represents you.
After the center circle, the second ring will be divided into two, representing your parents. Each subsequent ring represents a generation, revealing the intricate ties between parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
The third ring will represent your grandparents and be divided into 4.
The fourth inner ring is divided into 8, representing each Great-Grandparent, and the last inner ring is divided into 16 for your Great-Great Grandparents.
These sections will need room to write in, and you can add more rings in between for symbols. At a minimum, you should represent yourself, your parents, and you're grandparents.
The Power of Red
When creating my family's mandala, I was pulled in by the color red. Red holds primal power; it is an ancient hue used in ancestral cave paintings. Beyond black and white, red is the first color the human eye perceives, evoking a sense of connection to our primal roots. Red is the color that represents the root chakra; this is the chakra believed to hold ancestral energies within our individual energy wheel systems. Red represents blood, the most potent tool of magic, and it is honored in Christianity with the blood of Jesus. Red is a color used by monarchs as they believe it represents the divine appointment to the position of God.
You can use whatever color you are drawn to, but be specific about the intention and symbolism of that color.
Naming the Ancestors
Every name has a meaning.
When we are called upon by our names, we are told something about ourselves through the energy of our name's meaning. Google the meaning of each ancestor's name and write their name in the generational circle they represent. Take a moment to get a sense of the energies spoken in each generation, where there are similarities, what impact you feel you have experienced from the names, and what has been subtle. This practice connects you to the essence of those who came before. There are ancestors whose names we will never know, but this can give us an idea of the energy of our lineages.
Sacred Geometry and Symbolism
Incorporate sacred geometric shapes. I began subtly with this, honestly fearful of not liking the outcome as it was a new exploration to which I felt deeply attached. I welcomed this feeling and allowed it to pass through me by making multiple Mandalas and experimenting with styles. I have many seamstresses in my family, so I also experimented with needle and thread.
I am drawn to sacred spirals, triangles, and circles. Once I placed the names in, I was inspired by waves and other symbols. Explore sacred shapes inspired by the name meanings, each carrying its unique energy, infusing your creation with spiritual significance.
Ancestral Healing Meditation
Conclude your artistic journey with a meditation or prayer of thanks. Express gratitude for the unknown names, acknowledging their role in bringing you into the world. Release what no longer serves you or your lineage, drawing on positive name meanings to call forth healing energy into your life and generations to come.
Closing Thoughts
Engage in this project with an open heart and a curious spirit. Discover the benefits of genealogy and ancestral healing, from improved mental health to deepened spiritual wellness. Unearth the magic within your family's history and create a beautiful mandala that becomes a beacon of connection to your roots.
Click Here to Join Us for more insightful explorations into ancestral healing, creative expression, and the profound interplay between generations. May this practice bring you closer to your roots and illuminate the path to a more enriched and harmonious life.
