Ego

Ego is the root of suffering. 

All suffering is the result of ego-clinging. In other words, the notion that the self is to be protected and cherished is the reason why we act and react. Metaphorically, nooses in Tibetan thangkas symbolise the snaring, binding, and finally strangling of the ego. Ultimate liberation is reached through the renunciation of the ego, or complete selflessness. 

*****

Sacred geometry is the study of spiritual meaning in various spatial arrangements. In the concentric structure of mandalas, the circle represents the wholeness of an individual - the self, and the square represents the Cartesian dimensions, or one’s surrounding. The mandala describes the awareness of how we, as conscious beings, relate to our cosmos, our world. 

Jacqueline Shiu uses Chinese classical, Tibetan Thangka, & French art nouveau motifs in her paintings to illustrate the truth, the good, and the beautiful. Geometric proportions & symmetry express dignity, righteousness, and order; organic lines & shapes embody the complexity and depth of human emotions; detail & intricacy reflect human dedication and perseverance; and flowers are symbolic of grace and perfection.