Pat Jones

“A Season Under Heaven”

“To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

And a time for every purpose under heaven.”

The word “mandala” comes from the ancient Sanskrit language, meaning “of essence” and “sacred circle.” Mandalas, circular designs used in ritual, religion, meditation and healing, are seen in all cultures through time.

Native Americans have “dream catchers” and medicine wheels. Buddhist monks in Tibet create mandalas of colored sand for meditation purposes.  The great cathedrals have beautiful

round stained glass “rose” windows. Stonehenge was constructed in a circle by ancient peoples, just as the stars and planets revolve around the sun.

By creating mandalas, or spending time in contemplation of them, one is encouraged to draw closer to one’s “center,” or perhaps closer to one’s concept of God. 

In covering the surface of the crane with mandala designs, I hope to symbolically depict a world-wide concern for humanity.

The dark blue background represents the heavens, with many of the circular designs reminiscent of the celestial bodies – sun, moon, stars.

The planet Earth is also represented, along with symbols and words conveying the concepts of nature and environment, religion, service, education, health and healing, humanity, goodwill, eternity, and peace.