Buddhist Symbolism in Art & Design – Wesak Day 2014!

Ever seen those Hollywood martial art flicks where you see Buddhist monks trying to teach a geeky American some karate stuff? Or, the Chinese/Indonesian movies based on Kung Fu and saviors of mankind rising from the Shaolin Temple? Unfortunately, for most of us Americans, motion pictures are the closest we come to know of a Buddhist monk.

Buddhism, however, is an amazing school of thought, and so is their culture which is reflected in pretty much everything they do. They practice simplicity, purity of heart and strife to attain the absolute peace of mind through meditation. The belief that everything is harmonized in nature leads them to believe in the Four Noble Truths of taught by Buddha.

• The Noble Truth of suffering
• The Origin or Cause of suffering
• The End or Cessation of suffering
• The Path which leads to the end of all sufferings

The Wesak Day (a.k.a. Vesak) is one of the most important and unique festivals of Buddhists around the globe. On this day, they celebrate the birth, rebirth (in the sense of enlightenment) and the subsequent passing away of Gautama Buddha. Every year, it is commemorated on the first full moon of May.In certain Asian countries, it may fall at the end of April or the beginning of June. This year, it is being celebrated today by observing the traditions and rituals of followers from various countries. In Thailand, for example, Buddhists create special Wesak lanterns out of paper or wood and release birds from cages in large ceremonies. Whereas, in China, they include traditional elements from their own culture and enjoy the dancing dragons. On this day, Buddhist devotees bring flowers, incense sticks, and candles as gifts for their guru.

In the world of graphic design, you wouldn’t find many who incorporate Buddhist symbolism in their illustrations and design. But, those who do, come from various parts and cultures of the world. Most of them are Malaysian graphic and logo designers but a large number of designers emerge from India and Sri Lanka. Check out some of the most interesting portfolios we found online of designers who add a touch of Buddhist culture or undertook special projects reflecting Buddhist values in their design.

1. Anjali Kumari

Image: Behance/Anjalikumari

Anjali is a student at National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bangalore, India. She is a graphic designer who also focuses on fashion styling and photography. Her rebranding projects can be viewed on Behance including the one she did for Amrapali.

 

2. Shremal Patel

Follow @shremalpatel

Shremal is an art director, photographer, and web developer who works and resides in Kampala, Uganda. You should definitely check out his graphic design and branding projects at Behance or his website.

 

3. Sameera Danushka Peiris

Peiris lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is a multimedia assistant at Vizu Private Limited. However, he is not just a multimedia designer; he is also interested in advertising, photography, video editing, and web designing

 

4. Christina Zouras

Zouras is a Chicago-based graphic designer, photographer, and illustrator. She considers herself a “philosophically concerned eclectic artist/designer interested in exploring the areas of spirit, science, and feminine divinity.”

 

5. Mugwort Artemisia

From British Columbia, Canada, we have an emerging talent, Isaac Mills, who is a graphic designer, illustrator, and a digital painter. He uses multiple mediums to craft images and designs that dwell between dream-like and conscious states of the world. Much of his work contains deep philosophical thought and symbolism. His fame has now reached other continents such as Australia, the USA, Canada, and Europe.

 

6. Phebe Welby-Jenkins

Welby-Jenkins is a graphic designer, digital photographer, and illustrator based in Manchester, United Kingdom. She worked with another designer Jonathan O’Brien to create Buddhist Interatcive Poster. The above image is a glimpse at her wonderful design.

 

7. Voo Chee Keong

Voo Chee Keongis a Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-based graphic designer who owns a design studio known as PICCA Design. His other specialties include advertising and illustration. His studio services include: Print ad design, packaging, corporate image, logo design, wedding invitation card design, business card design, etc.

 

8. Dominic Chin

Chin is a Malaysia-based web designer who also focuses on advertising and art direction. Last year, he undertook a project of greeting posts for Malaysian airports iButterfly Facebook page. The one presented here relates to the Wesak Day celebrations around the globe.

 

9. Lindsay Dupuis

From Ontario, Canada, Dupuis is a graphic design student currently searching for co-op opportunities in the field. She is also interested in illustration and digital art. The above image is a Buddhism infographic she created in February 2014.

 

10. Ester Vives

Vives is a graphic designer who lives and works in Barcelona, Spain. He also focuses on branding and photography. The image featured above is of design for a Buddhist magazine based on meditation and observations of the natural order of things.

May you have all the blessings of peace and serenity in your life! Happy Wesak day, everyone!