The complex spiral of the heart is composed of inner segments that loop in a sacred helical form. The muscular helix of the heart homes the Spirit (Shen), and is the center of the body. Our DNA is of an identical shape, and is kept in the heart of every cell. Much like the heart is home to the spirit, the nucleus of the cell is home to the genetic instruction that allow life to live, grow, and reproduce. The helix reflecting the heart, and our DNA helps to illustrate the idea that everything in nature is reflected in something else.

I made a representational drawing of the Heart and Small Intestine using a vulture feeding on a pile of dead fish to illustrate the connection between these two organs. When I thought about the way these two organs assist in the distribution of nutrients throughout the human body, it reminded me of how scavenger animals assist in the distribution of nutrients wherever they live and feed. 

The heart is the house of Spirit (Shen), which can be seen represented by the Chinese character in the center of the heart above. The word Shen loosely translates to mean spirit, presence, or consciousness. It is one of the Three Treasures of Man and the heart or heart-mind is the source of this energy. On energetic level, the heart-mind is responsible for the regulation of the conscious and psychic mind, which includes: mental activity, memory, sleep, and feelings. Understanding this concept can make it easier to see the heart as the vessel of the spirit and the vitality behind our life force and essence.

Harmonious Flames

My mandala represents the heart, with burning energy and flowing flames. The color red goes with the heart and with fire, so I made most of the mandala with shades of red, and with that comes pink. I associate pink with self-love and passion, and then I associate passion with fire in it’s own way, so everything began to flow together. In my research, I read that overactive heart energy can result in feeling restless and agitated, but my mandala is supposed to represent a restful flame. The fire is burning and flowing freely, but it is not agitated or destructive, it creates a harmonious image of passion and love. The “flames” I have drawn never touch each other, because as I see it that would create a chaotic and out of control wildfire, or something of the sort. Instead, they burn together, but they bend around and wrap with each other to create the image.