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What is the Enso Symbol? – A Perfectly Imperfect Circle
The Enso, a popular symbol of Buddhism and Japanese calligraphy, is considered a sacred symbol in the Zen school of thought. It’s typically created with one uninterrupted stroke of the brush, although sometimes it can be painted with two strokes. The circle can be either open or closed, with both styles representing different things (discussed below). Drawing an Enso is a precise art that has to be done in one fluid stroke. Once drawn, the symbol can’t be altered in anyway.
The Enso symbol can be traced back to the 6th century where it was first depicted as an out of shape circle. It was believed to represent the idea of immense space that has no need of anything and contains nothing that it needs. It is an indication of satisfaction with what one has. It’s empty and yet full, with no beginning or end.
The Enso expresses the complex ideas of Buddhism, in a simple, minimalist stroke.
Meaning of the Enso Symbol
Enso is written in the Japanese kanji as 円相 and consists of two words:
円 – means circle
相 – this kanji has several meanings including inter-, mutual, together, aspect or phase
Put together, the words mean circular form. Another interpretation suggests that Enso can mean a Circle of Togetherness. The more traditional interpretation of the symbol is that of the circle of life, as a symbol of the start and end of all things.
The type of circle, whether open or closed, represents different meanings.
The white space within the circle can indicate emptiness or it can take on the idea that it contains all it needs within its centre. Also, depending on the interpreter, the middle of the circle can represent presence or absence – similar to a glass half full or half empty scenario.
On a social level, the Enso circle can be seen to symbolise harmonious cooperation between one another, acceptance of oneself or the pursuit for personal development and self-improvement.
As a reflection of life and nature, the Zen circle can reflect the idea of how one perceives their life and whether it’s full or void and empty. It shows the mindset of the individual and their satisfaction with where they are at in their life’s journey.
The symbol can also illustrate the cyclic nature of life: birth, death and rebirth. Nature, throughout the year, goes through this cyclic process of birth, death and rebirth as a result of the seasons. Also, the Sun perpetually rises and sinks in a circular fashion, bringing light and life.
Additionally, the Enso can symbolise the harmonious relationship and balance between all things.
Spiritually the Enso circle is considered a mirror of the moon and therefore an emblem suggesting Enlightenment. In Buddhism, the moon is a symbol for the doctrines and teachings that lead one along the path to enlightenment, which is why you will sometimes find the Enso referred to as the Circle of Enlightenment.
In meditation, the Enso indicates the perfect meditative state in which your mind is detached from all and in connection with the infinite. It provides a sense of calm, concentration and rejuvenation.
Yet other interpretations of the Enso see it as a symbol of strength, the cosmos (which is complete and whole) and a duality of dependence and independence. It can be taken to represent single-mindedness as the person who paints the Enso does so with focus and determination while accepting the final result as it is.
An open circle can be usually taken as an indication of the concept of wabi-sabi, which is the view that things are impermanent, imperfect and partial.
*Read the full article from symbolsage.com here