Carl Jung, Mandalas, and the Numinosum

Christian Mandala Christ’s ascension into heaven after his resurrection from the dead The circle is a clock (signifying time – and hence human history). The innermost region in which Jesus is placed is black. In eastern orthodoxy icons, the dark circle signifies the via negativa (God cannot be known). Christ embodies not merely God but the mystery of God, which in Christianity is the union of God with Humanity in the person of Christ.

Mandala in Islamic Mosque

The Five Buddhas Mandala Quaternity with a Center Each Buddha represents the awakening from a particular delusion. 1. The delusion of ignorance becomes wisdom of reality. (Center - white) 2. The delusion of pride becomes the wisdom of oneness. (yellow) 3. The delusion of attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment. (red) 4. The delusion of jealousy becomes the wisdom of achievement. (green) 5. The delusion of becomes the mirror like wisdom. (blue)

Buddhist Wheel of Life Samsara is in the grip of Yama (God of the Dead). From outer circle to center: 1. the chain of dependent arising. 2. the six realms of existence 3. white path (left half) and dark path (right half). 4. cock, snake, and pig are found in the center - representing the three poisons (greed, hate, and ignorance). At center since they are the inner source that puts everything else in motion.

Miss X’s drawing after the beginning of intense inner activity following therapy. Jung said that the snake here represents, not the spermatozoon, but the phallus. The spermatozoon is depicted by the golden substance being injected into the outer region of the nucleus. Miss X takes the red to signify her fiery defense (emotion) against the intruding force. The force is coming from “above” since “animus” is a spiritual force. Note also that “the nucleus” is not at center, but forced down

The next picture in the sequence. Change has taken place. The snake is separated from the circle, which is now enlarged and has blossomed with vivid colors (including an outweighing blue over earlier red). Quaternity has now emerged in the image (four swirling circles) and a fifth circle at the center – a stabilizing of conscious life. The four are unified in the one at center. While many mandalas have the snake inside (for completeness of opposing forces), here it is outside the circle, suggesting to Jung the patient’s “critical attitude” towards the darker side. But the leftward movement of the eddies in the circles (in the direction of the snake) suggest a continuing trend towards the darker side of the spirit.

One of Jung’s own Mandalas.