SHIELD “THE ELEMENTS”

Original: 150 x 150 cm - 2009

To enlarge click on image.

Slight color variations to the internet image may occur due to the printing process.
On request you can order this Mandala motif also in an individual bigger size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MANDALA

The Mandala symbolises the elements – earth, water, fire and air.
In accordance with the “Alchemcical Teaching of the Four Elements“ they are the foundation of all living existence. Their power creates, preserves, purifies and renews.
According to Paracelsus there are natural spirits corresponding to the four elements, they are called “Elemental Spirits“ or “Elemental Beings“. 
The “Elemental Beings“, who played a role in the mythology of old cultures, are entities who serve as guardians, protectors and purifiers of nature and earth.
On an ethereal level the elements operate as energies. They have a purifying, clarifying and healing effect on body and psyche.

SYMBOLISM

Earth with flower and leaves: the earth symbolizes the center/the innermost core/the soul.
At the same time it is a symbol for “Gaia“ („the Earthmother“ - who gives birth to all terrestrial beings). Flower and leaves point to the form of every terrestrial existence.
Red background symbolizes the flesh, the body.
Wavelike circlet with rays, in white, yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Band of quadrants show the 4 elements symbolically. The elements are related with alchemical, physical, energetic, ethereal and astrological qualities.
FIRE:
Body: digestion – nerves – energy fields – electro-magnetic reactions
Astrology: Aries – Leo – Sagittarius
Cardinal point: South
Elemental Beings: fire salamander (saurian [dinosaur?] – snake – dragon)
AIR:
Body: breath – sense of hearing – thinking
Astrology: Libra – Gemini – Aquarius
Cardinal point: East
Elemental Beings: sylph (Deva - light-elfin)
EARTH:
Body: Flesh – Bones – physical touch
Astrology: Taurus – Virgo – Capricorn
Cardinal point: West
Elemental Beings: gnome (elf – dwarf)
WATER:
Body: blood – lymph – tears – emotion
Astrology: Cancer – Scorpius – Pisces
Cardinal point: North
Elemental Beings: undine (mermaid – merman – nymph).
Wavelike circlet in yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Wreath of leaves on a yellow background: The yellow background expresses the empathic connection with the trees. A tree is a symbol of growth and strength, it reminds of the seasons and the life cycle.
In mythology, certain trees were associated with specific qualities.
The leaves used in this Mandala correspond to the following species of trees:
Oak tree: Symbol of eternity, steadfastness, virtue, truth. In Norse Mythology the oak was honoured as a „Holly Tree“ (= domicile of the gods) and as the „Tree of Oracle“. In the crown of an oak lives an enormous variety of insects (about 1000 species).
Beech tree: Symbol of fertility, regeneration, security and wisdom. In mythology the beech is deemed to be the „Tree of Desire“ and a shelter during storms. The „Runic Alphabet“ of the Germanic tribes was scored in beech wood (the wood was combined with knowledge about the past, the present and the future).
Apple tree: Symbol of the female principle: love - sexuality - fertility and awareness - decision - wealth. In various cultures the apple tree is admired as the „Tree of eternal life“.
Cherry tree: Symbol of pureness - passion and love; connection with the netherworld and the cycle of life and death. In ancient Greece, the cherry tree was holy and dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Furthermore the cherry tree was called „Tree of the Moon“ in Celtic mythology – which points to the female principle. It was said that elves and faeries would live in it.
Wavelike circlet in yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Four feathers of a falcon: The falcon is connected with the mythology of many cultures – it was seen as the bird of the godesses, of light and of the warrior. 
In Celtic Mythology the falcon was a transmitter inbetween this world and the hereafter. 
In Old Egypt the falcon was the symbol of the Pharaos. Some Egypt deities had the shape of a falcon. 
In the Norse Mythology the falcon was connected with the goddess Freya. 
Its characteristic qualities are: fast, agile, brave, enormously wide perspective.
The four feathers build an equal-sided cross which symbolizes a “Cross of Divination.“
The Cross of Divination with the intersection in the center serves as a possibility to center oneself in the personal inner center – a place of silence and peace.
Red band with symbols of animals expresses the connection with the animal kingdom, with the personal “Protector Animals“ and with “Animal Allies.“ 
Animals serve us as food, for healing and they are teachers. They live their lives in „the here and now“ and they illustrate the beauty and creativity of Creation.
Wavelike circlet in yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Wavelike circle in blue color = Element of Water – fluid, lotic, clarifying and purifying. It is a symbol of life, fertility and flow. Water is used for ritual washing and healing. The Moon’s connection to water is evidenced in the low and high tides of the sea. 
The Elemental Being - “Undine“(lat. Unda=wave) is dignified and in general beneficial towards humans.
White-bluish wavelike circlet: clarifying and purifying energy.
Band with light yellow and light blue wave = Element of Air – gaseous, life-giving, purifying. 
The breath also is called “Odem of Life“ – it symbolizes „giving and taking.“ 
The Elemental Being - the “Sylph“ is beneficent, cheerful and inspiring. 
Fourfold s-formed sign in purple, violet, white color: symbolize the ancesters and other ethereal entities (spiritual teachers, angels, guardian spirits).
Wreath of flowers = connection to the world of plants. Plants serve us as food, for healing and as teachers. Plants connect us with the beauty and creativity of Creation. They symbolize the lifecycle of all life and point to the recurring cycle of the seasons. Growing from the ground, they are connected with the Element Earth – solid, medicative, regenerating, purifying. The earth is a symbol of food, fertility, growth, reproduction, death, renewal and continuance. The Elemental Being – the “Gnome“ is patient, hard working, may appear difficult sometimes; he is guardian of secret treasures.
Wavelike circlet in yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Yellow sun on a red wavelike band: The sun defines all terrestrial life – the climate, the time of day, the season, as well as the cardinal points. Various cultures deified the sun as a god/goddess. It is a symbol of the Element Fire – light, warmth, purification, healing, protection or from danger, destruction. 
Fire is purifying, the warmth has a healing quality. It is a symbol for resolving power, for transformation, renewal and death.
The Elemental Being is the “Fire Salamander“ – strong, powerful, difficult temper, may be dangerous and unpredictable.
Wavelike circlet in yellow and pale blue colors: energy which is emitting, receiving, purifying, empathetic.
Blue wavelike band symbolizes water.
Fourfold s-formed sign in purple, violet, white color: symbolizes the ancesters and other ethereal entities (spiritual teachers, angels, guardian spirits).
Wavelike circlets in the colors white, yellow, pale blue and red illustrate the ethereal, vibrating and purifying energies of the elements.
White crocus flower with oak, beech and apple leaves: As an outer boundary of the axes of coordinates (“Cross of Divination“), the flower points to the beauty of all four directions. 
The crocus is a „Herald of Spring“ and symbolizes the restart of spring – the germination – the renewal. The oak leaf illustrates eternity and holiness. The beech leaf corresponds to knowledge and wisdom. The apple leaf symbolizes awareness and fertility.

REGARDING THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MANDALA:
Please remember that each Mandala affects each person in a different way. The added description might suggest a certain impression, but it is subjective. The individual perception seems to comply with a personal, momentary specific subject.