Infographics to Live & Die By

Visual symbols and artworks have long served as powerful tools for conveying complex ideas, emotions, and philosophies in ways that resonate deeply with the human psyche. From the bold simplicity of flags to the intricate profundity of the Tibetan sipa khorlo, these creations function as infographics—visual representations that distill and communicate information efficiently. This essay explores the psychological impact of flags, banners, shields, crests, mandalas, Indo-Tibetan thangkas, and specific Western artworks, such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes and the works of Hieronymus Bosch and Leonardo da Vinci. It concludes by examining the Tibetan sipa khorlo, or Wheel of Life, as the ultimate infographic, encapsulating the cyclical nature of existence, karma, and the path to transcending samsara.

The Psychological Power of Flags, Banners, Shields, and Crests

Flags, banners, shields, and crests are among humanity’s oldest visual symbols, serving as infographics that convey identity, allegiance, and values. Psychologically, these symbols tap into the human need for belonging and group cohesion. A flag, for instance, is not merely fabric but a condensed representation of a nation, ideology, or cause. Its colors, shapes, and emblems trigger emotional responses, from pride to aggression, by activating the brain’s associative memory and social identity processes. Studies in social psychology, such as those rooted in social identity theory, suggest that symbols like flags strengthen in-group solidarity while delineating out-groups, often eliciting visceral reactions during conflicts or celebrations.

For example, the sight of a national flag can evoke patriotism, as seen in experiments where exposure to national symbols increases feelings of unity and willingness to sacrifice for the group. Banners, often used in religious or political contexts, function similarly, rallying individuals around shared beliefs. Medieval banners carried into battle, adorned with crosses or heraldic symbols, served as infographics of divine or noble authority, inspiring courage and fear.

Shields and crests, particularly in heraldry, are infographics of lineage and status. Their intricate designs—lions for strength, eagles for freedom—convey narratives about a family or institution’s history and values. Psychologically, these symbols foster a sense of continuity and pride, linking individuals to a larger legacy. The human brain, wired for pattern recognition, decodes these symbols rapidly, making them effective tools for communication in high-stakes contexts like warfare or diplomacy.

Mandalas and Indo-Tibetan Thangkas as Infographics

Mandalas and Indo-Tibetan thangkas elevate the concept of infographics to a spiritual and psychological plane. A mandala, derived from the Sanskrit word for “circle,” is a geometric design representing the universe, wholeness, and the self. Psychologically, mandalas engage the viewer’s attention through symmetry and repetition, inducing a meditative state. Carl Jung, who studied mandalas extensively, noted their therapeutic effect, observing that creating or contemplating mandalas helps integrate the conscious and unconscious mind, reducing anxiety and fostering self-awareness. The act of focusing on a mandala’s concentric patterns can lower cortisol levels, as shown in studies on mindfulness-based art therapy.

Indo-Tibetan thangkas, painted scrolls depicting deities, lamas, or spiritual narratives, serve as infographics for Buddhist teachings. These intricate artworks encode complex doctrines—such as the Four Noble Truths or the Eightfold Path—in visual form, making esoteric concepts accessible to practitioners. For example, a thangka depicting a deity like Kalachakra (who symbolizes the cycles of existence and the intricate nature of the cosmos on both the outer, cosmic and inner, human body-mind, scales) uses iconography (e.g., multiple arms symbolizing infinite acts of compassion) to convey spiritual ideals.

Thangkas also serve as mnemonic devices, aiding memory retention of Buddhist principles. The vibrant colors and detailed imagery stimulate the visual cortex, enhancing recall through what cognitive psychologists call the “picture superiority effect,” where images are remembered more readily than text. For practitioners, thangkas are not mere decorations but active tools for psychological transformation, guiding the mind toward states of clarity and transcendence.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and Western Art as Infographics

In Western art, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes (1508–1512) stand as monumental infographics, communicating theological narratives to a largely illiterate audience. The ceiling’s nine central panels, depicting scenes from Genesis, function as a visual Bible, conveying the story of creation, the fall, and humanity’s relationship with God. The Creation of Adam, with God’s and Adam’s fingers nearly touching, encapsulates the divine-human connection in a single, memorable image. Psychologically, these frescoes evoke awe and reverence, leveraging the brain’s response to grandeur—known as the “sublime” in aesthetic theory—to instill a sense of divine presence. Neuroaesthetic research suggests that such vivid imagery activates the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, enhancing emotional and cognitive engagement.

Similarly, Hieronymus Bosch’s triptychs, like The Garden of Earthly Delights (c. 1490–1510), function as infographics of moral and eschatological themes. Bosch’s surreal imagery—grotesque creatures, fantastical landscapes—maps the consequences of sin and the chaos of human desire. The triptych’s structure (Eden, Earth, Hell) guides the viewer through a narrative of creation, temptation, and judgment, much like a flowchart. Psychologically, Bosch’s work provokes anxiety and fascination, exploiting the brain’s tendency to seek meaning in chaotic imagery, a phenomenon known as apophenia.

Many of Leonardo da Vinci’s works also serve as infographics, such as the Vitruvian Man, which inscribes the “ideal” human form in a square (side equaling height) and a circle (centered at the navel, radius to fingertips). Often linked to the golden ratio φ ≈ 1.618, recent analysis reveals an equilateral triangle from feet to groin, yielding a tetrahedral ratio of 1.633—nature's efficient design for sphere-packing and craniofacial optimization. In hand proportions, da Vinci's formula follows: a palm equals four finger widths; the middle finger spans three phalanges in ratios approximating 1:φ:φ² from tip (distal) to base (proximal), where φ satisfies φ = 1 + 1/φ, mirroring golden harmony for balanced anatomy. The work is a prescient scientific hypothesis on universal geometry.

(Left: Milarepa * * * Right: A contemporary Drigung Kagyu yogi, preparing to undergo tests of his mastery of the ‘inner-heat’ of Tummo Yoga. A sheet will be soaked in water and he will have to sit outside with it wrapped around his otherwise naked body and generate exceptional amounts of internal body heat to keep himself warm, evaporate the moisture and thereby demonstrate his proficiency in this tantric yoga)

Tibetan Depictions of Esoteric Practices

In Tibetan Buddhist art, depictions of lamas performing esoteric practices like tummo (inner heat meditation) or materializing entities through visualization are infographics of spiritual transformation. Tummo, for instance, is often illustrated with a yogi surrounded by flames, symbolizing the generation of psychic heat to purify the body and mind. These images serve as instructional guides, visually encoding the stages of meditation and their effects on the practitioner’s consciousness. Psychologically, such imagery inspires awe and aspiration, reinforcing the belief that disciplined practice can lead to extraordinary states of being.Visualizations of materializing entities, such as deities or protectors, are depicted in thangkas with precise iconography—each color, gesture, or object carrying specific meaning. For example, a wrathful deity like Yamantaka, with multiple heads and arms, represents the destruction of ignorance. These images function as infographics by mapping the process of transforming negative emotions into wisdom. The psychological impact is twofold: they instill confidence in the practitioner’s ability to transcend ordinary perception and serve as focal points for meditation, anchoring the mind in complex visualizations.

The Ultimate Infographic

IMHO, the Tibetan sipa khorlo, or Wheel of Life, stands as the ultimate infographic, encapsulating the Buddhist worldview of existence, karma, and liberation. This circular diagram, often painted on monastery walls, visually represents the cycle of samsara—the endless round of birth-death-rebirth driven by karma. It’s a psychological-philosophical masterpiece, designed to educate, inspire, and guide practitioners toward enlightenment.

At its core, the Wheel is held by Yama, the Lord of Death, symbolizing the impermanence of all phenomena. The hub depicts the three poisons—ignorance (pig), attachment (bird), and aversion (snake)—driving the cycle of suffering. The six realms of rebirth (gods, demigods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, hell beings) occupy the wheel’s main sections, each illustrating the consequences of karmic actions. The outer rim represents the twelve links of dependent origination, a sequence explaining how ignorance leads to the birth and death of thoughts and bodies: delusion→suffering→repeat. Finally, the moon and sun outside the wheel symbolize the possibility of liberation through enlightenment.

Psychologically, the sipa khorlo engages the viewer on multiple levels. Its vivid imagery captures attention, while its layered structure invites contemplation of life’s deeper truths. The wheel’s circular form mirrors the cyclical nature of existence, resonating with the brain’s preference for patterns and cycles. Cognitive science suggests that such complex, narrative-driven visuals enhance memory and comprehension by engaging both hemispheres of the brain.

The sipa khorlo’s power as an infographic lies in its ability to distill the entire Buddhist cosmology into a single image. It serves as a roadmap for understanding how thoughts and actions shape one’s destiny, how karma perpetuates rebirth, and how mindfulness and wisdom can break the cycle of samsara. For practitioners, contemplating the wheel is a meditative act, fostering insight into impermanence and interdependence. Its psychological impact is transformative, encouraging self-reflection and a commitment to spiritual practice.

Flags, banners, shields, crests, mandalas, thangkas, and Western artworks like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes and Bosch’s triptychs all function as infographics, conveying complex ideas through visual shorthand. These symbols and artworks tap into the human psyche, leveraging emotions, memory, and pattern recognition to communicate identity, morality, and spirituality. In a world saturated with visual stimuli, infographics—modern as well as ancient—can help understand and transcend ourselves.