black ink on paper 20x30cm
I love all the powerful Incan and Mayan symbology incorporated into Oksana Stepanova‘s (OKSITOCIN) pen & ink mandala entitled “Inca”. Her spectacular use of symmetry and asymmetry along with all the detail work makes for a stunning piece of black and white art. She may be an interior designer by trade but she is truly an amazing artist at heart.
From her facebook post about this mandala’s symbolism she states:
The symbols all around are Incan which was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The symbol in the middle is Mayan. The name of this symbol is “Hunab Ku”, which represents the movement of life energy, the cycle of life on a grander scale, the order and balance of the cosmos, and the god force or infinite power available in all life. Also called the “GalacticButterfly”, Hunab Ku is a vital cornerstone into understanding the cycles of life (and also the core feature to understanding Mayan myths). This symbol encompasses all opposites in the universe and unites them as one: male and female, dark and light, yin and yang, conscious and unconscious, internal and external, etc.. Some believe that the Hunab Ku acts as a bridge to connect these opposites. It can be used to achieve balance and harmony in life because of its intrinsic powers of uniting or bridging opposites. It can also be used to connect one’s inner being with one’s external body or to achieve oneness with the universe.
Check out all of her amazing pen & ink mandalas on her gallery page along with her beautiful murals. You can be sure I will be showcasing her art many more times on MotD.
When we think about mandalas we usually think of it in terms of colors. Oksana’s mandala reminds us that beauty can also be found in black and white.
Happy Coloring!
If you would like your mandala to be considered for the “Mandala of the Day”, read how on the Participate page. It’s easy! Or recommend one you’ve seen via my Contact page.
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