Mandala Vectorization
Algorithm
Tusita Sarkara, Preetam Chayan Chatterjee, Partha Bhowmick:Mandala simplification: sacred symmetry meets minimalism,
Computer Vision and Image Understanding: 254, Art. 104319 (2025).
Artistic Tradition
Mandala is a timeless art form that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Linguistically rooted in Sanskrit, the classical Indian language, it translates to "circle" or "discoid object". Since time immemorial, mandalas have held deep symbolic significance in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing unity and the interconnectedness of the universe. Their timeless allure has enabled them to transcend cultural boundaries, spreading across various traditions worldwide as profound symbols of unity, wholeness, and spiritual transformation.Philosophy
At the soul of mandalas lies the harmony of sacred symmetry, simplicity, and minimalism—a timeless principle that resonates with the deepest realms of human consciousness. Their designs incorporate fundamental elements such as leaves, lotus petals, floral patterns, and spiritual symbols, emphasizing balance and simplicity. Rooted in minimalistic principles, mandalas inspire deep introspection and spiritual connection, serving as tools for meditation and reflection. Their enduring wisdom and transformative influence have left a lasting impact on the Indian subcontinent and beyond.Our Focus
In handcrafted mandalas, symmetry often falls short of perfection, requiring refinement to achieve harmony and balance. To address this, we introduce a computational approach that captures the all-round symmetry of mandalas through minimalist principles. By integrating advanced geometric and graph-theoretic tools with an interactive twin atlas, our approach streamlines parameter domains to attain the revered state of sacred symmetry—epitomizing harmonious balance—where the final representation consists of cubic curves. This is particularly valuable for mandala editing and recreation in the vector space, as well as atlas building and referencing.
