Mandalas are intriguing symbols that have a lot of rich symbolism across many different cultures dating back thousands of years. This post touches a little bit on how mandalas heal us. The original post was from 2015. I’ve updated it and re-shared it, as I’m doing gradually with all of the posts from the Mandalas for Marinke project, in order to spread the word about how crafting heals us as well as to destigmatize depression and suicide.
Big and Small Crochet Mandalas
Karen’s amazing contribution includes 2 large crochet mandalas and 6 mini crochet mandalas made using variations of Wink’s 12-round standard free crochet mandala pattern. I adore the soft colors used in each of them; they feel light and lovely. Crocheter Karen shared about the small mandalas:
“I made small mandalas like this and did my own ‘yarn bombing’ in memory of Wink. I posted them in libraries, a college, grocery stores, and yarn shops. The following is the note that I attached to each mandala:
Wink was a talented crochet artist and blogger. Her work was known worldwide. The Mandala, or circle of life, like the one displayed here, was one of her favorite motifs. Wink suffered from clinical depression and last week committed suicide. She was 31 years old. She will be missed. If you need help with your depression, help is available. We need you all in the circle of life”.
She also included the local and national suicide hotline numbers. The national number is 1-800-273-8255.
More from the Maker
So who gave us this wonderful contribution. Karen Kidd from Overland Park, Kansas, who has been crocheting for 45 years and became aware of Wink’s work three years ago. She shares:
“Wink is an inspiration to me. I worked for 42 years as a psychiatric nurse. In that span, I worked with many patients who suffered from debilitation depression and recurring suicidal thoughts. Wink’s blog impressed me because she not only shared her struggle with depression in her blog, but also used it as a forum to show how crochet helped her cope with her depression. I think it takes great courage to share intimate information about yourself to the world. But I think she showed even greater strength and determination to try to research and share ways to fight depression through creative outlets. Wink was very wise for her age. I admire her and I will think of her whenever I make one of her patterns.”
Words by Wink on How Mandalas Heal
As Karen said, Wink loved the mandala symbol. She really brought it into the limelight of crochet, introducing it to many crafters. She writes at the beginning of her free mandala tutorial:
“A mandala is typically a circle with inspiring colors and patterns. Mandala is the Sanskrit word for ‘circle’, and has spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Crochet mandalas can be used as coasters, hot pads, wall decorations or simply as colour therapy.”
The color therapy of how mandalas heal can’t be underestimated. I write more about the mandala symbolism in the Mandalas for Marinke book.
How Mandalas Heal (A Jungian Perspective)
Today I want to share a fun fact with you: Psychotherapist Carl Jung did paintings and sketchings of mandalas for several years and observed their beneficial use among his patients (which included patients with depression, of course). He found that mandalas heal us. Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT writing for Psychology Today shares:
“According to Jung, mandalas symbolize “a safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness.” They have the potential to call forth something universal within, perhaps even the proverbial archetypal Self. And at the same time, they give us an experience of wholeness amid the chaos of every day life, making the “sacred circle” one of the very coolest art therapy interventions for both soothing the soul and meeting oneself.”
I also wanted to share this video by Deb GypsyOwl Bryan who writes, “As I began my journey out of depression (you can read more on bubblews) I needed a way to focus. And I was sure art therapy works. A string of events (which had been in progress since at least the end of November) put a tiny smartphone in my hands and an app which allowed me to create mandalas.”