A symbol for mindfulness
A graphic designer called Giedrius recently wrote to me from Lithuania, telling me that he had created the symbol above to represent “being here and now – the idea of mindfulness.” He said:
This is an open source symbol that can universally represent mindfulness. It can also work as a reminder that can help people to be aware of the present moment.
His website gives more background information on the symbol:
When you see this symbol, anywhere – in public, personal or virtual spaces – it will work as a reminder for you to become aware of this present moment.
Firstly, this symbol is presented like a physical representation of present moment.
Vertical forms represent time – past and future. Horizontal forms represent space – 360 degrees. And the one is always in the center – being here and now.
Secondly, you can see a symbol of a water drop. This is the most often used metaphor to represent the idea of mindfulness. Only this water drop symbol is presented in a kind of mirrored way. But do not think about it, because as mentioned above, this is time – past and future, both are illusions, stay centered in the present.
This is an “open source” symbol that can be used by anyone in order to spread the message. The symbol can be used in different ways and in different media. It can also be interpreted creatively. Please send us your photos or your creative designs with this symbol and we will showcase them in our page.
When you use this symbol, you will represent the movement. So please be responsible and stay on the message.
You can download high quality files here: jpg
I’m curious what you think of this symbol. Please do leave a comment below.
Update on the Mindfulness Symbol
Since I originally wrote this article, nine years ago, the mindfulness symbol really seems to have taken off. Giedrius’s Tumblr site has many photographs of ways that people have used the symbol, including this tattoo:
Here’s a compilation of various photographs people have submitted of their own mindfulness tattoos:
And various people have played around with the symbol, adapting it in various ways. Here’s one variation, which resembles a traditional Indo-Tibetan vajra or dorje:
20 Comments. Leave new
I love it! It’s so simple and beautiful.
Great design.
I like the symbol and the thought behind it. I will use it on the website for our meditation group in Utrecht.
I just got the symbol tattoo and love the meaning behind the symbol. I also think of the water drops being ones thoughts and the ripples are the effects of the thoughts. In other words, being mindful of oneself and others.
I think that the symbol is clean and lovely–I would be happy to see it in use!
I was looking for some symbol reminding me Present moment to tattoo it on my wrist as a reminder…this is simply perfect. Thank you for the idea
When I try and click on the links for the high quality images Google Chrome warns me it is a malware car booking site? Is there a safe place to get these lovely designs, as I think the more we use it the more it will become an accepted symbol?
I’m sorry to hear about that. He must have had his site hacked. I’ve changed the links on the page, although it might take a while for the cache to clear. In the meantime, you can download the mindfulness symbol here.
Thanks for your quick and helpful response, I am interested in the idea of a symbol that we could put up our wall at home, or on a noticeboard at work, both so others recognise us as fellow travellers on the mindfulness journey, and also so that people ask us what it means which enables us to talk about it to newcomers. We are starting a discussion about this in the Forum on everyday-mindfulness.org
Love the symbol. It’s just perfect.
my sister and I got tattoos using your symbol for mindfulness on our arms to remind us. this was done to celebrate our 60th & 65th birthdays, March 6th & 12th. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi – I actually got this as a tattoo because I loved it so much! :)
I love this and want to use it for a tattoo
I got it done and can show you, but I cant upload a photo?
Sorry, you can’t upload photos here, Max, but if you email a copy to me I could do it for you. Try emailing bodhi@ this domain name.
Here’s Max’s photo:
I have it tattooed my inner forearm. It starts a lot of conversations
I have this tattooed on my hand. I got it in the thick of a period of time where I developed disassociation disorder from a very traumatic time in my life. It’s helped bring me back. Thank you.
I built an app called Just for Today – https://justfortoday.app/ – and Giedrius’s symbol has been its logo from day one. It carries the whole intent of the app in a single mark — the stillness in the center. Thank you for keeping this post up; it’s how it found me.
I wish you well with your app, Rai!