Dreamcatcher: Horus in Christian Mandala

The Dictionary of Symbols

This is a Hindu term for a circle. It is a kind of yantra (instrument,
means or emblem), in the form of a ritual geometric diagram, sometimes corresponding to a specific, divine attribute or to some form of enchantment (mantra)
which is thus given visual expression (6). Cammann suggests that mandalas were
first brought to Tibet from India by the great guru Padma Sambhava in the 8th
century A.D. They are to be found all over the Orient, and always as a means
towards contemplation and concentration—as an aid in inducing certain mental
states and in encouraging the spirit to move forward along its path of evolution
from the biological to the geometric, from the realm of corporeal forms to the
spiritual. According to Heinrich Zimmer, mandalas are not only painted or drawn,
but are also actually built in three dimensions for some festivals. One of the
members of the Lamaist convent of Bhutia Busty, Lingdam Gomchen, described
the mandala to Carl Gustav Jung as ‘a mental image which may be built up in the
imagination only by a trained lama’. He maintained that ‘no one mandala is the
same as another’: all are different because each is a projected image of the
psychic condition of its author, or in other words, an expression of the modifcation brought by this psychic content to the traditional idea of the mandala.
Thus, the mandala is a synthesis of a traditional structure plus free interpretation. Its basic components are geometric figures, counterbalanced and concentric. Hence it has been said that ‘the mandala is always a squaring of the circle’.
There are some works—the Shri-Chakra-Sambhara-Tantra is one—which prescribe rules for the better imagining of this image. Coinciding in essence with the.
mandala are such figures as the Wheel of the Universe, the Mexican ‘Great Calendar Stone’, the lotus flower, the mythic flower of gold, the rose, and so on. In a
purely psychological sense it is feasible to identify the mandala with all figures composed of various elements enclosed in a square or a circle—for instance, the
horoscope, the labyrinth, the zodiacal circle, figures representing ‘The Year’ and
also the clock. Groundplans of circular, square or octagonal buildings are also
mandalas. As for the three-dimensional form, there are temples built after the
pattern of the mandala with its essential counterbalancing of elements, its geometric form and significant number of component elements. The stupa in India is
the most characteristic of these temples. Again, according to Cammann, there are
some Chinese shields and mirror-backs which are mandalas. In short, the mandala
is, above all, an image and a synthesis of the dualistic aspects of differentiation
and unification, of variety and unity, the external and the internal, the diffuse and
the concentrated (32). It excludes disorder and all related symbolisms, because,
by its very nature, it must surmount disorder. It is, then, the visual, plastic
expression of the struggle to achieve order—even within diversity—and of the
longing to be reunited with the pristine, non-spatial and non-temporal ‘Centre’,
as it is conceived in all symbolic traditions. However, since the preoccupation
with ornamentation—that is, with unconscious symbolism—is in effect a concern for ordering a certain area—that is, for bringing order into chaos—it follows
that this struggle has two aspects: firstly, the possibility that some would-be
mandalas are the product of the simple (aesthetic or utilitarian) desire for order,
and secondly, the consideration that the mandala proper takes its inspiration
from the mystic longing for supreme integration. In Jung’s view, mandalas and all
concomitant images—prior, parallel or consequent—of the kind mentioned above,
are derived from dreams and visions corresponding to the most basic of religious
symbols known to mankind—symbols which are known to have existed as far
back as the Palaeolithic Age (as is proved, for example, by the Rhodesian rock
engravings). Many cultural, artistic or allegorical works, and many of the images
used in numismatics, must have sprung from this same primordial interest in the
psychic or inner structure (with its external counterpart to which so many rites
pertaining to the founding of cities and temples, to the divisions of heavens, to
orientation and the space-time relationship, bear eloquent testimony). The juxtaposition of the circle, the triangle and the square (numerically the equivalents of
the numbers one and ten; three; and four and seven) plays a fundamental rôle in
the most ‘classic’ and authentic of oriental mandalas. Even though the mandala
always alludes to the concept of the Centre—never actually depicting it visually
but suggesting it by means of the concentricity of the figures—at the same time it
exemplifies the obstacles in the way of achieving and assimilating the Centre. In
this way, the mandala fulfils its function as an aid to man in his efforts to regroup
all that is dispersed around a single axis—the Jungian Selbst. It is of interest to note that the same problem occupied the alchemists, except that a very different
aspect of being was under investigation. Jung suggests that the mandala represents an autonomous psychic fact, or ‘a kind of nucleus about whose intimate
structure and ultimate meaning we have no direct knowledge’ (32). Mircea Eliade,
speaking as an historian of religions and not as a psychologist, sees the mandala
chiefly as an objective symbol, an imago mundi rather than a projection of the
mind, without, however, discrediting the latter interpretation. The structure of a
temple—the Borobudur temple for instance—in the form of a mandala has as its
aim the creation of a monumental image of life and the ‘distortion’ of the world to
make it a suitable vehicle for the expression of the concept of supreme order
which man—the neophyte or initiate—might then enter as he would enter into
his own spirit. The same is true of the great mandalas traced on the ground with
coloured threads or coloured dust. Here, rather than serving the purposes of
contemplation, they have a ritual function in which a man may move gradually
towards the inner area, identifying himself with each stage and each zone as he
goes. This rite is analogous to that of entering into the labyrinth (denoting the
quest for the Centre) (18), and the psychological and spiritual implications are
self-evident. There are some mandalas which counterbalance not enclosed figures
but numbers arranged in geometric discontinuity (for instance: four points, then
five, then three), and are then identified with the Cardinal Points, the Elements,
colours, and so on, the significance of the mandala being wonderfully enriched by
these additional symbolisms. Mirrors of the Han dynasty depict the numbers
four and eight balancing each other and disposed round the centre in five zones
which correspond to the five Elements (that is, the four material Elements plus
the spirit or quintessence). In the West, alchemy made quite frequent use of
figures having a definite affinity with the mandala, composed of counterpoised
circles, triangles and squares. According to Heinrich Khunrath, the triangle within
the square produces the circle. There are, as Jung has pointed out, ‘distorted’
mandalas different in form from the above and based upon the numbers six, eight
and twelve; but they are comparatively rare. In all mandalas in which numbers are
the predominant element, it is number-symbolism which can best plumb its
meaning. The interpretation should be such that the superior (or the principal)
elements are always those nearest the centre. Thus, the circle within the square is
a more developed structure than the square within the circle. And the same
relationship to the square holds good for the triangle; the struggle between the
number three and the number four seems to represent that between the central
elements of the spirit (corresponding to three) and the peripheral components,
that is, the Cardinal Points as the image of ordered externality (corresponding to four). The outer circle, on the other hand, always fulfils the unifying function of
overriding the contradictions and the irregularities of angles and sides by means of
its implicit movement. The characteristics of the ShriYantra, one of the finest
mandala-instruments, have been explained by Luc Benoist. It is composed around
a central point which is the metaphysical and irradiating point of primordial
energy; however, this energy is not manifest and therefore the central point does
not actually appear in the drawing, but has to be visualized. Surrounding it is a
complex pattern of nine triangles—an image of the transcendent worlds; four of
these triangles have the apex pointing upwards and the other five downwards.
The intermediate—or subtle—world is suggested by a triple aureole surrounding
the triangles. An eight-petalled lotus (signifying regeneration), together with others of sixteen petals, and a triple circle, complete this symbolic representation of
the spiritual world. The fact that it exists within the material world is suggested
by a triple-lined serrated surround, signifying orientation in space (6).

Dream Moods

To see a mandala in your dream, signifies that you will experience some positive changes in your waking life. It also symbolizes wholeness, unity, healing, inner peace, spirituality, and harmony.

Hyper Dictionary

Seeing a mandala in your dream means that positive changes are occurring in your waking life. It also symbolizes wholeness, unity, healing, spirituality, and harmony.

Dream Moods

To see glass in your dream, symbolizes passivity or protection. You may be putting up an invisible barrier to protect yourself in a situation or relationship. If the glass is dirty, cloudy or discolored, then it suggests that you are not seeing something clearly. You need more clarity in a situation. To dream that you are drinking from a glass, is an omen of good luck.

To dream that you are looking through glass, represents your openness and non-defensiveness. Alternatively, you may be putting up an invisible emotional barrier around yourself.

To see broken glass in your dream, signifies disappointments and negative changes in your life. Alternatively, it could be symbolic of an aspect of your life that is in pieces. A relationship or situation has come to an abrupt and untimely end. If you are walking on broken glass, then it suggests that you will be experiencing some heartache or pain. You are unsure with how to proceed with your life.

To dream that you are eating glass, highlights your vulnerability, confusion and frailty. You may have difficulties in communicating your thoughts across and getting the right words out. Alternatively, it may symbolize your hurtful and cutting comments. Perhaps you have been hurt or disappointed by something that someone had said. Or you need to be careful in how you phrase and word things or run the risk of offending others.

10,000 Dreams Interpreted

To dream that you are looking through glass, denotes that bitter disappointments will cloud your brightest hopes.

To see your image in a mirror, foretells unfaithfulness and neglect in marriage, and fruitless speculations.

To see another face with your own in a mirror indicates that you are leading a double life. You will deceive your friends.

To break a mirror, portends an early and accidental death.

To break glass dishes, or windows, foretells the unfavorable termination to enterprises.

To receive cut glass, denotes that you will be admired for your brilliancy and talent.

To make presents of cut glass ornaments, signifies that you will fail in your undertakings.

For a woman to see her lover in a mirror, denotes that she will have cause to institute a breach of promise suit.

For a married woman to see her husband in a mirror, is a warning that she will have cause to feel anxiety for her happiness and honor.

To look clearly through a glass window, you will have employment, but will have to work subordinately. If the glass is clouded, you will be unfortunately situated.

If a woman sees men, other than husband or lover, in a looking glass, she will be discovered in some indiscreet affair which will be humiliating to her and a source of worry to her relations.

For a man to dream of seeing strange women in a mirror, he will ruin his health and business by foolish attachments.

Hyper Dictionary

Seeing glass in your dream, symbolizes passivity. Dreaming that you are drinking from a glass, is an omen of good luck. Dreaming that you are looking through glass, represents your openness and non-defensiveness. Alternatively, you may be putting up an invisible emotional barrier around yourself. Seeing broken glass in your dream means a change in your life. You will find that a situation will come to an abrupt and untimely end. Dreaming that you are Seeing or eating glass, highlights your vulnerability, confusion and frailty. You may have difficulties in communicating your thoughts across and getting the right words out. Alternatively, it may symbolize your hurtful and cutting comments. Perhaps you have been hurt or disappointed by something that someone had said. Or you need to be careful in how you phrase and word things or run the risk of offending others.

The Dictionary of Symbols

Since it consists of an aperture, the window expresses the ideas of
penetration, of possibility and of distance, and because it is square in shape, its
implications are rational and terrestrial. It is also symbolic of consciousness (32),
especially when it is located at the top of a tower, by analogy with the head of the
human figure. Divided windows carry a secondary significance, which may at
times even be the predominant sense, deriving from the number of openings or lights and from the inter-relationships between the relevant number-symbolism
and the general symbolism of the window (Plate XXXI).

10,000 Dreams Interpreted

To see windows in your dreams, is an augury of fateful culmination to bright hopes. You will see your fairest wish go down in despair. Fruitless endeavors will be your portion.

To see closed windows is a representation of desertion. If they are broken, you will be hounded by miserable suspicions of disloyalty from those you love.

To sit in a window, denotes that you will be the victim of folly. To enter a house through a window, denotes that you will be found out while using dishonorable means to consummate a seemingly honorable purpose.

To escape by one, indicates that you will fall into a trouble whose toils will hold you unmercifully close.

To look through a window when passing and strange objects appear, foretells that you will fail in your chosen avocation and lose the respect for which you risked health and contentment.

Dream Moods

To see a window in your dream, signifies bright hopes, vast possibilities and insight. If the window of a house is dark, then it indicates a loss to your perception or vitality.

To dream that you are looking out the window, signifies your outlook on life, your consciousness and your point of view. It also refers to your intuition and awareness. You may be reflecting on a decision. Or you need to go out into the larger world and experience life. If you are looking in the window, then it indicates that you are doing some soul searching and looking within yourself. It is time for some introspection. To see another face in the window in your dream, suggests that you are feeling emotionally distant and physically detached. Also consider the emotion depicted on the face.

To see shut windows in your dream, signify desertion and abandonment.

To see a shattered and broken window in your dream, represents your distorted view and skewed outlook on life. It is also refers to a state of vulnerability.

To dream that you are fixing or replacing a broken window, indicates that you are reassessing your view and outlook on life. You are gaining a new perspective on things.

To see a tinted window in your dream, represents your need for privacy. You are keeping some aspects of yourself hidden. You also want to remain ambiguous.

To dream that you are washing windows, suggest that you need some clarity in some matter. Something is not clear.

Hyper Dictionary

Seeing windows in your dream means bright hopes, vast possibilities and insight. Dreaming that you are looking out the window means your outlook on life, your consciousness, point of view, awareness, and intuition. You may be reflecting on a decision and seeking guidance. If you are looking in the window, then it indicates that you are doing some soul searching and looking within yourself. Seeing shut windows in your dream means desertion and abandonment. Seeing shattered and broken windows indicates misery and disloyalty. Seeing a tinted window in your dream, represents you need for privacy and your ways of getting it. You are keeping aspects of yourself hidden or that you want to remain ambiguous.

Meaning of Dreams

A window is a rich dream symbol. Its accurate interpretation can lead to awareness and a better understanding of a personal outlook on life. If you are looking through the window, pay close attention to what you are looking at. Is it a beautiful landscape or a scene dealing with an experience or a situation from your past? Looking through a window and seeing a beautiful landscape may represent your desire for greater satisfaction and more peace in your life. If you are seeing something familiar, you may be able to perceive the situation in a new way and gain some insight. Some say that a window may represent a time frame. A closed window suggests an inability to effectively communicate, and an opened widow may represent desire for new adventure in life. Windows in our houses allow us to see the world on the outside, the windows in our dreams may encourage us to better see the world within ourselves, as well as the world outside.