Mandorla (Christianity)

This symbol, commonly used in mediaeval Christianity but almost forgotten today, is the shape similar to that of an almond, defined by two overlapping circles. It is usually described as the overlapping of heaven and earth and is a powerful symbol of healing the tension between pairs of opposites and of coming to terms with contradictions. The shape is often used to frame pictures of Christ or the Virgin Mary, and is also the traditional fish symbol become popular again today, Christ symbolizing the intersection of the divine with the human. As the two conflicting circles overlap ever so slightly the mandorla is commenced, healing the division between them until they are bound together in a single unity - that which was separated, unwhole, un-holy, becomes whole. This is the unifying function of poetry, of paradox, to surprise or shock by uniting what were thought of as opposites, torn apart, into a single unity. It is the function of a good story. It is the function of language itself, to unite a duality in one sentence by means of the verb. One may also use music, dance, the arts when most successful are examples of this harmonizing of opposites. By working on the shadow in our own lives, by reconciling the opposites, we diminish a little the collective shadow of humanity. The many colours of life do not unite in a greyness but in a rainbow of the composite colours.