The word Mandala is Sanskrit, and it means a circle, both the center and circumference. It is a symbol of Life. Mandalas are universal images which can be found all over the world and beyond. They exist in the West, notably in the rose windows of cathedrals, and other forms of sacred art. They have been explored and developed to an exceptional degree in the East, especially in the Tibetan and Indian cultures and they are widely used in American Indian rituals. Mandalas are found everywhere in human culture especially where awareness of unity is understood and celebrated. They are widely used for meditation and healing. Mandalas have been painted, constructed of wood, done up in mosaic tile, and virtually every other art form. They can be abstract, or geometric designs, symmetrical or asymmetrical. The images can be literal or symbolic. They can be monochrome or fully ablaze with color.