- "We harness energy drawn from other dimensions of the Multiverse to cast spells, to conjure shields and weapons, to make magic."
- ―Ancient One to Doctor Strange[src]
Tao Mandalas are protective shield spells commonly conjured by the Masters of the Mystic Arts.
History[]
Battle of New York[]
Ancient One throwing Mandalas at Chitauri
During the Chitauri Invasion of 2012, in order to protect the Time Stone, the Ancient One defended the New York Sanctum from the invading Chitauri by creating mandalas and throwing them at the Chitauri Chariots that flew by, cutting through and destroying them.[2]
Stakar Ogord's Team[]
Krugarr agrees to steal with Stakar Ogord
In the aftermath of the Battle on Ego's Planet, the Ravagers united to host a funeral for Yondu Udonta. Stakar Ogord, Udonta's former mentor, called a meeting with the members of their former team, now leaders of their own Clans. Orgord stated that though it took a tragedy to reunite with his team, he felt that Udonta would be proud that they were all together again. To celebrate their reunion, Orgord suggested they go out and start stealing things, with Krugarr, a Lem sorcerer, summoning mandalas shaped as thumbs to signify his approval.[3]
Masters of the Mystic Arts[]
The Ancient One conjuring Mandalas
At Kamar-Taj, sorcerers of the Masters of the Mystic Arts are trained to harness the energies from other dimensions to cast spells, summoning weapons and shields to protect themselves. When Kaecilius and the Zealots stole a ritual from the Book of Cagliostro, the Ancient One cornered the rogue sorcerers in the Mirror Dimension, summoning mandalas that were able to fold into war fans as offensive weapons during the conflict. Following his arrival at the Masters' training grounds, Doctor Stephen Strange was given a demonstration of magic by the Ancient One, who summoned a large mandala from fiery dimensional energy.
Hamir summons a Tao Mandala
During his training, Strange struggled to channel magic and blamed his lack of progress on his damaged hands, prompting the Ancient One to summon Master Hamir, who conjured a mandala with ease despite his amputated left hand. As his training progressed, Strange was informed of the Masters' role in protecting Earth by Wong, who showed him a projection of the shields erected by the Sanctum Sanctorums around the world using the Orb of Agamotto.[4]
Summoning of Dormammu[]
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Doctor Strange faces off against the Zealots
After the Zealots' destruction of the London Sanctum blasted him through a portal to the New York Sanctum, Stephen Strange met with Daniel Drumm, who quickly went to investigate. Witnessing Drumm's execution by Kaecilius, Strange prepared to defend against the rogue sorcerers, conjuring an Eldritch Whip to attack before being overwhelmed, forcing him to retreat further into the Sanctum. When Kaecilius used the power of the Dark Dimension to prevent his escape, Strange prepared to face his attackers, summoning his Tao Mandalas to defend and deflect their attacks with Space-Time Shards. However, due to Strange's inexperience, he wasn't able to maintain them, and one of the Tao Mandalas flickered out as a result.[4]
Battle at the Hong Kong Sanctum[]
Doctor Strange blocks an energy blast from Dormammu
During the attack at the Hong Kong Sanctum, Kaecilius and the Zealots destroyed the Sanctum and succeeded in bringing Dormammu and the Dark Dimension to Earth. In order to defeat Dormammu, Doctor Strange entered the Dark Dimension to bargain with him and created an endless loop of time using the Eye of Agamotto, which housed the Time Stone, to ensure he will keep returning. During his confrontation, Strange summoned his Tao Mandalas to block several of Dormammu's attacks, such as his energy blasts.[4]
Infinity War[]
Doctor Strange and Wong prepare for battle
In 2018, two members of the Black Order, Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian, were sent to secure the Time Stone from Doctor Strange in New York City. Strange, having been warned by Bruce Banner moments before their arrival, prepared to defend the Stone, placing a protective enchantment on the Eye of Agamotto before facing them as he and Wong summoned their Tao Mandalas to prepare for battle.
Doctor Strange blocks Drax the Destroyer's Knives
Later that day, upon arriving on Titan, Stranger, Iron Man and Spider-Man were ambushed by Guardians of the Galaxy, and Strange summoned a Tao Mandala shield to block Drax the Destroyer's Knives before the two teams realized they were on the same side and concocted a plan to defeat Thanos together.
Doctor Strange prepares to battle Thanos
As Thanos arrived on his homeworld, Strange greeted him and summoned his Tao Mandalas moments before Iron Man rammed a large piece of debris into the Titan. However, that proved ineffective as a full-scale battle broke out, with Thanos using the power of the incomplete Infinity Gauntlet to swiftly take out his enemies. When Strange was the last combatant standing, he used a variety of spells to contend with the power of the Gauntlet, summoning a large mandala to transmute a singularity sent by Thanos into multitudes of butterflies.[5]
Battle of Earth[]
Wong protects his allies from the Sanctuary II
In October 2023, the Masters of the Mystic Arts joined the battle against an alternate Thanos and his army at the ruins of the Avengers Compound, summoning Tao Mandalas. When alternate Thanos ordered the Sanctuary II to fire missiles down, Wong and the Masters conjured several large Mandalas as barriers to protect themselves and their allies.[2]
Cage Fighting[]
Wong uses a Mandalas against Abomination
In April 2024, Wong participated in a cage fight in Macau, China and used a Mandalas against Abomination. However, Abomination kicked the Mandalas, sending Wong flying back into the side of the cage.[6]
Spider-Man Multiversal Crisis[]
In November 2024, Doctor Strange supplied Peter Parker with a device that allowed him to conjure miniature Tao Mandalas around his arm. Parker used this device while finding the universe-displaced Electro in upstate New York.[7]
Scarlet Witch's Multiversal Madness[]
Siege of Kamar-Taj[]
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To be added[8]
Battle on Mount Wundagore[]
While on Mount Wundagore, Wong used Tao Mandalas as shields when being confronted by the Elder Beasts in the Darkhold Castle. Later, Wong used the Tao Mandalas to shield himself on the ledge as the Knights threw large stones down at him.[8]
Aiding the Guardians[]
Krugarr reacting with a laughing face mandala
In 2026, the Guardians of the Galaxy attempted an infiltration into the Orgoscope, to save Rocket's life. In order to bypass its defenses, Nebula contacted the United Ravagers, hiring Gamora's help. Upon boarding the Bowie, Stakar Ogord and the Ravagers briefed the Guardians, providing OrgoCorp uniforms for them to blend in. When Drax the Destroyer expressed his disdain towards the red uniforms, Krugarr conjured a laughing face mandala, expressing his amusement.[9]
Alternate Universes[]
Corrupted Doctor Strange[]
Doctor Strange using Taos Mandalas
In an alternate universe, Doctor Strange used Taos Mandalas throughout his time as a Masters of the Mystic Arts. During the battle against his temporal paradox, both sorcerers utilized Mandalas against each other.[10]
Battle for the Multiverse[]
Strange Supreme prepares to battle Ultron
As a Guardian of the Multiverse, Strange Supreme utilized Tao Mandalas during the battle against Ultron in Ultron's universe.[11]
Battle at the Sanctum Infinitum[]
Strange Supreme using Tao Mandalas in battle against Captain Carter and Kahhori
In an attempt to resurrect his deceased girlfriend Christine Palmer and his home universe, Strange Supreme began gathering powerful individuals from across the Multiverse within his Sanctum Infinitum, to feed the Forge. Upon Captain Carter and Kahhori's discovery of his true agenda, a battle erupted in Strange's sanctum, following a mass prison break. In the ensuring fight, Strange utilized Tao Mandalas for crowd control, and in combat against Carter and Kahhori.[12]
Capabilities[]
Tao Mandalas can be used by the Masters of the Mystic Arts to attack opponents, such as when Ancient One took out several Chitauri Chariots by throwing mandalas at them or when she used them as war fans against Kaecilius and the Zealots. Tao Mandalas can also be used block attacks, even those from the Sanctuary II and Dormammu, although sufficiently powerful ones will destroy them, such as hits from Thanos and Abomination, as well as Dormammu's extended energy blast.
Alternate Versions[]
| Origin | Status | Creators | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Time Heist | Active | Masters of the Mystic Arts | Ancient One |
| Corrupted Doctor Strange | Active | Masters of the Mystic Arts | Ancient One † Stephen Strange † Stephen Strange † Wong † |
| Sorcerer Collector | Active | - | Taneleer Tivan |
| Runaway Hela | Active | Masters of the Mystic Arts | Wong |
| Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man[1] | Active | - | Stephen Strange |
| Doctor Strange Mangas | Active | Masters of the Mystic Arts | Stephen Strange Wong |
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, the Ruby Rings of Raggadorr is one of seven shields summoned by the Rings of Raggadorr spell and are often conjured by Doctor Strange.
- Mandala (Sanskrit for "circle") in Hinduism and Buddhism is a geometric configuration representing the universe. Meanwhile, Tao, in Taoism, refers to universal energy.
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Disney+ Reveals First Look at Spider-Man Prequel Show (Photos)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Avengers: Endgame
- ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Doctor Strange
- ↑ Avengers: Infinity War
- ↑ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- ↑ Spider-Man: No Way Home
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- ↑ What If...?: 1.04: What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?
- ↑ What If...?: 1.09: What If... THe Watcher Broke His Oath?
- ↑ What If...?: 2.09: What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?