Ensō

In Zen art, ensō (円相; "circular form") is a circle hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes, one of the most common subjects of Japanese calligraphy dating back centuries. The ensō symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe (Dharmadhatu), and mu (emptiness). Closed circles represent totality, wholeness, and perfection, while incomplete circles allow for movement and development, embodying wabi-sabi—the beauty of imperfection. The spiritual practice of drawing ensō or writing calligraphy for self-realization is called hitsuzendō. The master calligrapher acts as a conduit, striving to empty their mind and draw the ensō in one uninterrupted stroke with pure focus.