man·da·la ˈ/mandələ/ noun.

1. Oriental Art. a schematized representation of the cosmos, chiefly characterized by a concentric configuration of geometric shapes, each of which contains an image of a deity or an attribute of a deity.
2. Psychology. a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self.

Mandalas are circular designs symbolizing, among other things, the notion that life is never ending. While today, that seems more like a threat than a promise, mandalas are also used as tools to aid meditation, something I think we could all use a little of.

These are the stunning mandalas of UK-based educator and artist Asmahan A. Mosleh, aka Murder and Rose. Inspired by a number of world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, Mosleh uses pencil, pen, and pigment to create her phenomenally intricate designs, which she then finishes off with pearls of metallic paint to give them a 3-D look. Those lovely bloops (a technical term) of paint make me want – no, need – to touch them. Enjoy!

All images property of Asmahan A. Mosleh/Murder and Rose.