Mandalas ↔ Luopan: Circular Diagrams

BY NICOLE LAU

Circles as Cosmic Maps: Sacred Diagrams Across Cultures

Draw a circle. Divide it into sections. Fill each section with symbols, colors, patterns. You've created a cosmic map—a two-dimensional projection of universal order.

Western and Tibetan traditions have mandalas—intricate circular diagrams used for meditation and spiritual practice. Chinese Feng Shui has the Luopan (羅盤)—the geomantic compass with concentric rings of cosmic correspondences.

Different purposes, different symbols. Yet both are circular diagrams encoding the same truth: the universe is ordered, and that order can be mapped in circles.

Mandalas and Luopan are the same technology: circular sacred geometry as tools for aligning with cosmic order.

Mandalas: Western/Tibetan Circular Sacred Geometry

Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, "circle") is a geometric configuration of symbols, typically circular, representing the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically.

Structure:

• Outer circle: Universe, wholeness, protection
• Concentric rings: Layers of reality, stages of consciousness
• Center point: Divine source, ultimate reality, enlightenment
• Symmetry: Usually 4-fold or 8-fold radial symmetry
• Symbols: Deities, geometric shapes, colors, elements

Types:

1. Tibetan Buddhist Mandalas

• Elaborate, colorful, highly detailed
• Represent deity's palace or pure land
• Used for meditation, initiation, visualization
• Often created with colored sand, then destroyed (impermanence teaching)

2. Hindu Yantras

• Geometric, often simpler than Tibetan mandalas
• Triangles, hexagrams, lotus petals, circles
• Each yantra = specific deity or cosmic principle
• Sri Yantra = most famous (9 interlocking triangles)

3. Christian Rose Windows

• Circular stained glass windows in cathedrals
• Radial symmetry, geometric patterns
• Biblical scenes, saints, symbolic imagery
• Function as meditation aids, light transformers

4. Jungian Mandalas

• Carl Jung used mandala drawing for psychological integration
• Spontaneous mandalas = expression of unconscious wholeness
• Creating mandalas = therapeutic, centering practice

Purpose:

• Meditation: Focus point for concentration
• Visualization: Mental map for spiritual journey
• Cosmology: Diagram of universe's structure
• Integration: Symbol of wholeness, unity
• Protection: Sacred circle wards off negative energies

Luopan: Chinese Geomantic Compass

Luopan (羅盤, "net plate" or "compass") is the traditional Chinese compass used in Feng Shui to determine auspicious directions and analyze energy patterns.

Structure:

• Central needle: Magnetic compass pointing North
• Heaven Pool (天池): Center circle containing needle
• Concentric rings: 3 to 40+ rings (depending on complexity)
• Each ring: Specific cosmic correspondence (directions, elements, stars, etc.)
• Red crosshairs: Alignment lines for reading

The Rings (from center outward, simplified):

Ring 1: Eight Trigrams (先天八卦)

• Primordial Bagua arrangement
• Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui

Ring 2: Nine Palaces (九宮)

• Luoshu magic square numbers (1-9)
• Directional correspondences

Ring 3: 24 Mountains (二十四山)

• 24 directional divisions (15° each)
• Combines 8 trigrams, 12 Earthly Branches, 4 cardinal directions

Ring 4: 28 Lunar Mansions (二十八宿)

• Chinese zodiac constellations
• Astronomical correspondences

Ring 5: 60 Jiazi (六十甲子)

• 60-year cycle (10 Heavenly Stems × 12 Earthly Branches)
• Temporal correspondences

Additional Rings:

• Five Elements correspondences
• Yin-Yang divisions
• Water dragon formulas
• Flying Stars calculations
• And many more (advanced Luopan have 30-40 rings!)

Purpose:

• Direction finding: Determine precise compass bearings
• Site analysis: Assess Feng Shui of location
• Timing: Calculate auspicious dates/times
• Diagnosis: Identify energy imbalances
• Remedy: Determine corrections needed

The Convergence: Circular Cosmic Encoding

Aspect	Mandalas	Luopan	Convergence
Shape	Circle (wholeness)	Circle (compass)	Circular geometry
Center	Divine source, enlightenment	Magnetic needle, Heaven Pool	Central point of orientation
Concentric Rings	Layers of reality, consciousness	Layers of cosmic correspondences	Hierarchical organization
Symmetry	4-fold or 8-fold radial	8-fold (Bagua), 24-fold (Mountains)	Radial divisions
Symbolism	Deities, elements, colors, geometry	Trigrams, elements, directions, stars	Cosmic correspondences
Purpose	Meditation, visualization, integration	Direction finding, site analysis, timing	Alignment with cosmic order
Function	Spiritual tool (inner work)	Practical tool (outer work)	Both map cosmos

Key Insight: Both use concentric circles divided radially to encode cosmic order. Mandala = inner map (consciousness). Luopan = outer map (space/time). Same structure, different application.

Why Circles? The Geometry of Wholeness

Circle as Universal Symbol:

1. Completeness

• No beginning, no end
• All points equidistant from center
• Represents totality, unity, perfection

2. Protection

• Circle = boundary, container
• Sacred circles ward off chaos, negativity
• Magic circles, medicine wheels, stone circles

3. Cycles

• Sun's path, moon phases, seasons
• Life-death-rebirth, eternal return
• Circle = time, process, transformation

4. Cosmos

• Celestial sphere, zodiac wheel
• Planets orbit in circles (ellipses)
• Circle = macrocosm, universe

5. Self

• Mandala = symbol of Self (Jung)
• Circle with center = ego + Self integration
• Circle = microcosm, individual

The Φ Connection: Optimal Radial Divisions

Both systems use Fibonacci-related divisions:

Mandalas:

• Common divisions: 4, 8, 12, 16
• 4 = 2² (Fibonacci-related)
• 8 = Fibonacci number
• 12 = 3 × 4 (Fibonacci 3)
• Petals in lotus mandalas: often 8, 16, 32 (powers of 2, Fibonacci-related)

Luopan:

• Primary divisions: 8 (Bagua), 24 (Mountains)
• 8 = Fibonacci number
• 24 = 8 × 3 (Fibonacci 8 and 3)
• Some rings: 60, 64 (Fibonacci-adjacent)

Why These Numbers?

• 8: Optimal balance (not too simple, not too complex)
• Fibonacci: Natural divisions that create harmony
• Powers of 2: Binary divisions (yin-yang, four elements, eight trigrams)
• These create Φ-proportioned sectors when combined

Practical Application: Creating and Using Circular Diagrams

Creating a Personal Mandala:

1. Draw circle: Use compass or trace round object
2. Mark center: Place dot at exact center
3. Divide radially: 4, 8, or 12 sections (use protractor or eyeball)
4. Add concentric rings: 2-5 rings from center outward
5. Fill with symbols: Colors, shapes, images that resonate
6. Meditate: Gaze at center, let awareness expand through rings

Using Luopan Principles (without actual Luopan):

1. Find North: Use phone compass or observe sun/stars
2. Overlay Bagua: Imagine 8-section circle on your space
3. Identify sectors: North (Water/career), South (Fire/fame), etc.
4. Enhance sectors: Add appropriate elements, colors, objects
5. Align activities: Face auspicious directions for specific tasks

Combining Both:

• Create mandala-style Bagua: Artistic circular Feng Shui map
• Use as meditation + practical tool
• Center = your intention, rings = life areas, sectors = directions
• Hang on wall, use for both contemplation and space planning

Next: Earth Geometry

We've explored circular diagrams (mandalas, Luopan). Now we examine geometry inscribed on the Earth itself.

Article 9: Crop Circles ↔ Geomantic Patterns—how large-scale earth art encodes cosmic principles.

Let's continue!