mandorla

[man-dawr-luh]

mandorla Definition

an almond-shaped figure, especially used in religious art, that surrounds the whole body of a holy figure, such as Christ or the Virgin Mary, to represent their divine light.

Using mandorla: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mandorla" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The mandorla surrounding Christ in the painting is a symbol of his divinity.

  • Example

    The Virgin Mary is often depicted with a mandorla around her body.

Phrases with mandorla

  • mandorla-shaped

    having the shape of an almond

    Example

    The pool was mandorla-shaped, with rounded edges and a narrow center.

  • a pointed oval window with a shape similar to a mandorla

    Example

    The church's mandorla window was a beautiful piece of stained glass.

  • an arch with a pointed oval shape similar to a mandorla

    Example

    The mandorla arch above the altar was intricately carved with religious symbols.

Origins of mandorla

from Italian 'mandorla', meaning 'almond'

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Summary: mandorla in Brief

A 'mandorla' [man-dawr-luh] is an almond-shaped figure commonly used in religious art to represent the divine light surrounding holy figures like Christ or the Virgin Mary. It can also be used to describe shapes like a 'mandorla-shaped' pool or architectural features like a 'mandorla window.'