The Mandorla

What is a Mandorla?
A mandorla is the almond shape found between two interconnecting circles of uniform size. The centre of each circle intersects on the circumference of the other. Quite literally mandorla means ‘almond’ in Italian.


The mandorla is also known as the vesica piscus - which in Latin means ‘vessel of the fish’. The almond shape being the fish and parts of the circles the tail.

​The History of the Mandorla
The mandorla is a sacred symbol which has uncertain origins. Some say it was found inscribed on the Ark of the Covenant, and it is most commonly associated with Christ and Christianity. The Encyclopaedia Britannica states that it was also used in the art of Buddhism in the early 5th century (Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "mandorla". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Jan. 2007, https://www.britannica.com/topic/mandorla. Accessed 6 December 2022.)

​Symbolism of the Mandorla
It is believed that the mandorla symbolises life on earth and is a sacred geometric pattern standing for the physical and spiritual planes which are represented by the two circles. The almond shape, the mandorla, is the creative centre which forms when the two circles meet. It can signify new life, new beginnings and the development of new ideas.

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​The mandorla is a union between opposites  - body and soul, yin and yang, masculine and feminine, light and dark, grief and joy etc. It can represent balance, the balance between good and bad, between right and wrong.

​The Mandorla in Holistic Art Therapy
In Holistic Art Therapy the mandorla is used in a creative way for expressing polarities of emotions. It is used as a way of getting to know our authentic selves, discover our possibilities and transform and heal ourselves. By creating a mandorla we can explore both sides of a situation, or experience, and find the balance between the two.

Mandorlas are a creative opportunity to self reflect and express conflicting feelings and thoughts you may have in your life, past or present. Creating a mandorla is a beneficial way of releasing a point of tension in your life, something you may find you go back and forth on and can never quite reach a resolution.


In my online course ‘Practicing Forgiveness with Mandorlas’ we explore the dynamics between forgiveness and resentment.  To move forward positively we need to unite the past and present, finding forgiveness within ourselves, for ourselves and others, in order to heal.


You can find more  information on my online course here.

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