The Mandorla, a symbol that is all but unknown today. It was used during the times of
medieval Christianity. It is an ancient symbol of two circles coming together,
overlapping one another to form an almond shape in the middle. Jensen (1996) describes the Mandorla as
similar to the image of two Mandalas(Sanskrit word for circle) merging together until an
almond shape is formed in the center. Also known as the "Vesica Piscis", symbolizing the
interactions and interdependence of opposing worlds and forces. The circles may be taken to
represent spirit and matter or heaven and earth(Baldock, 1990).
Mandorla is the Italian word for almond. According to Biedermann (1994), the almond is an
ancient symbol for the closing up of valuable contents in a hard, almost impenetrable shell.
During the medieval times, the almond was interpreted as a symbol of the embryo enclosed in
the uterus. The form of the almond which suggests a stylized vulva may have contributed to
such an interpretation(Biederman, 1994). It is also a variant of a halo which surrounds the
whole body of the holy person(Bruce-Mitford, 1996).
According to Fontana(1994), the Mandorla symbolizes power as well as spirituality, and is
often appeared around the body of Christ to represent the Assention
(Fontana, 1994).
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Design, Layout and Graphic Art by Jimmy Dunn, an InterCity Oz, Inc. Employee
All content, Graphic Art, Design, Layout, and Scripting Code Copyright 1996 by InterCity Oz, Inc.