Circles 

Milt Kobayashi’s painting presents us with two figures under a canopy of what appear to be glowing orbs. The most striking motif here is, of course, the circle. We see it repeated above in the glowing orbs and below in the pattern of one of the figure's skirts. The circle is a universal symbol, ancient and recurring. Consider the Ouroboros, the snake consuming its tail, found in Egyptian and Greek iconography, representing eternal return and cyclicality. In Carl Jung's psychoanalytic theory, the circle is a symbol of the self, wholeness, and perfection. It speaks to our collective unconscious longing for completion and harmony. Kobayashi's use of this motif evokes a similar sense of unity. The circles create a visual echo, drawing our eyes around the canvas and perhaps suggesting a deeper connection between the figures and their surroundings. The soft, diffused light and muted colors contribute to this sense of harmony, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of life, memory, and artistic expression.