Mandula

People often ask about the title of this book and it doesn’t reveal too much about what is within these pages to explain why I chose it. Mandula is derived from ‘mandorla’, which is Italian not only for almond, but also for the almond-shaped frame often seen surrounding icons in churches. I have it tattood on my arm and it is also on the cover of this book.

The shape, also known as piscis vesica (Latin for the bladder of a fish) is created by the perfectly balanced intersection of two circles. Often, one signifies heaven and the other earth, but it can mean many things. Where the circles meet, such as when Christ came down to be among us, a mandorla is said to be created.

All good art finds the intersection between heaven and earth and this is what I sensed on my journey through this book. The great elation of heaven goes hand in hand with the crushing suffering that is life on earth so much of the time. And from this combination emerges something rich and at times beautiful. The divine spark, but also the highs and lows of life.

Such is the bipolar world we live in.