Cosmogram

A cosmogram is a flat geometric figure depicting a cosmology. Some of them were created for meditational purpose. Mandalas are the best known cosmograms, but similar diagrams, known as schema, were also used in western Europe during the Middle Ages.

This article is about the flat geometric figure depicting a cosmology. For Drake cosmogram, see Arecibo message. For the cosmogram horoscope, see cosmobiology. For cosmograph, see cosmography.

Many cosmograms feature a circle and a square, or a circle and a cross. The circle may represent the universe, or unity. The square or cross may represent the Earth, the four directions. The centre may represent the individual. Many diagrams featuring circles and squares or crosses may be interpreted as cosmograms, although they may not be intentionally created as such. For example, traditional Chinese coins that are round with a square hole in the middle, have been given such an interpretation, and so has the board for the game ludo, see Cross and Circle game.

Gallery

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  An alchemical ideogram (17th century) illustrating the interplay of the four elements of matter and also the four letters of Tetragrammaton.
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  "New Jerusalem" geometric diagram of author John Michell.
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  The coat of arms of Slovenia has been described by its designer, Marko Pogačnik, as a cosmogram.[1]

See also

• Sacred geometry
• T and O map
• Yantra

References

1. Pogačnik, Marko (2003). "Interview with Marko Pogačnik, the designer of the Slovene coat of arms, carried out before the national celebration in 2003 by the Radio Maribor journalist Barbara Leskovar" (in Slovenian and English). Ljudmila.org.